Bolton 1 Middlesbrough 2: Wheater gives Boro helping hand in Bolton win

Wanderers had taken the lead through a Craig Davies penalty, but Middlesbrough hit back through a spot-kick of their own just before half-time, scored by Grant Leadbitter, and Kike’s effort 12 minutes from time saw them seal the win.

The victory leaves Boro with two wins from three games, having lost 1-0 at Leeds at the weekend, while Bolton remain on one point after slumping to their second loss of the campaign.

The home side were without Dean Moxey after he failed a late fitness, which meant that Tim Ream partnered former Middlesbrough defender David Wheater at centre-half.

Meanwhile, former Manchester City midfielder Adam Clayton made his full debut for Boro, after signing from Huddersfield last week.

The visitors started the brighter, with Kike looking threatening from the off as the summer signing from Murcia had three unsuccessful early attempts at goal.

The Trotters won a penalty in the 27th minute. Davies was put through on goal before being taken down in the area by Seb Hines, which saw the Boro defender lucky to escape with a yellow card. Davies then blasted the ball into the top right corner to put the home side into the lead.

When former Middlesbrough captain David Wheater handled the ball in the area, current skipper Leadbitter stepped up and slotted the ball past Adam Bogdan to equalise.

Boro substitute Adam Reach then almost made an immediate impact off the bench. His powerful volley from distance was brilliantly tipped over the post by Bogdan though.

However, there was nothing the Bulgarian stopper could do about the visitors’ next chance. Kike was put through before delightfully dinking the ball over the onrushing Bogdan.

Substitute Jermaine Beckford had the ball into the back of the net from close range, but it was disallowed for a foul.

Bolton: Bogdan, McNaughton (White 90), Mills, Wheater, Ream, Feeney, Spearing, Trotter (Danns 83), Lee, Mason, Craig Davies (Beckford 83). Unused substitute: Dervite, Pratley, Lonergan, Kamara.

Middlesbrough: Mejias, Damia, Omeruo, Hines, Friend, Nsue (Reach 63), Leadbitter, Clayton (Ayala 79), Adomah, Tomlin (Whitehead 89), Garcia. Unused substitutes: Konstantopoulos, Luke Williams, Husband, Fewster.

Referee: S Martin (Staffordshire).