WANDERERS clinched automatic promotion back to League One at the first attempt in convincing style with a 4-1 win at 10-man Crawley.

The Whites went into the game at the Broadfield Stadium knowing victory would guarantee them promotion, and Ian Evatt’s men produced a polished performance having slipped to defeat against Exeter the previous weekend.

Wanderers made the ideal start from their first attack when skipper Antoni Sarcevic notched his eighth goal of the season in superb style, running on to a pass from George Thomason and cutting inside before firing into the roof of the net.

It got better for Bolton after 26 minutes when Dapo Afolayan doubled the lead with his first goal for the club at the far post after being set up by Gethin Jones.

Eoin Doyle had an effort ruled out for offside before Crawley’s problems increased when captain George Francomb collected a second yellow card and was sent off 11 minutes before the break.

Doyle made it 3-0 with a cool finish four minutes after the break, his 19th goal of the season, after Afolayan and Sarcevic had combined.

Lloyd Isgrove put the seal on Bolton’s day of celebration by cashing in on a slip by Tony Craig to run through and score a fourth after 77 minutes.

Substitute Davide Rodari fired his first Crawley goal in the 89th minute but it did little to dampen Bolton’s joy.

Whites promotion back to League One will be a huge boost for the town.

Cllr David Greenhalgh said: "What a fantastic result! And what a tribute to the players and the whole team the new owners have pulled together to turn the fortunes of our great team around.

"Onwards and upwards now to get us back to where we we rightfully belong. Absolutely brilliant news!"