Bolton Wanderers 0 Leeds United 1: Leeds’s preparations pay off as Varney nets from polished set-play

Luke Varney scored the goal which saw United climb into the play-off places as they continued their unbeaten start away from home.

McDermott said: “To come away and win 1-0 at Bolton is a great result.

“We’re trying to get a group together that’s difficult to play against, but also we’re trying to get a group that can control games better with the ball.

“We’ve been working at our set-plays because they’ve been really important to us and it was a great delivery and a really good header from Luke (Varney).”

McDermott now faces a trip to his former club Reading on Wednesday for the first time since his sacking last season.

He added: “I really don’t know what to expect. I know I did my best when I was there and I had a good time at Reading.

“I was there a long time and only me and Steve Coppell have taken Reading into the Premier League, so I take great pride in that and I look forward to going back there.”

This match saw Leeds open the scoring for the first time this season, in the seventh minute.

After Zat Knight cleared for a corner, Luke Murphy’s delivery saw Varney get across his would-be marker and head the ball into the back of the net at the near post.

McDermott’s Bolton counterpart Dougie Freedman believes Bolton can still win promotion from their current position.

Wanderers have not won a league game all season and remain level on points with Millwall, with a slightly better goal difference meaning they sit second bottom.

But Freedman is not concerned and hopes that a much-needed victory can help spur them on.

He said: “Have we given up on automatic promotion? We’ll never give up.

“Anything can happen in professional sport. Obviously we’re disappointed with the result.

“To concede a goal after seven minutes was disappointing but we didn’t have too many clear opportunities and that’s the biggest disappointment.

“Leeds are a very experienced side and they held on well but we didn’t hit the target enough.

“We created enough chances to make things happen and for some reason they just didn’t,” he said. “The players need to remain strong to get out of this. I think we just need that first win.”

Bolton Wanderers: Bogdan, Mills, Baptiste, Knight (Beckford 62),Ream, Tierney (Medo 85), Eagles (Hall 68), Spearing, Pratley, Lee, Ngog. Unused substitutes: Mears, Moritz, Lonergan, Wheater.

Leeds United: Kenny, Peltier (Lees 54), Wootton, Pearce, Warnock, Austin, Tonge, Murphy, McCormack, Varney, Hunt. Unused substitutes: Green, Smith, Diouf, Poleon, Cairns, Mowatt.

Referee: A D’Urso (Essex).