Wrexham beat Bolton and are one win away from Wembley

Phil Parkinson’s men weren’t at their best but a 1-0 victory against Bolton Wanderers put the Reds into the semi-finals of the EFL Trophy.

Andy Cannon’s second half strike settled the last eight contest at The Racecourse as Wrexham got the better of their fellow League One outfit.

And the Reds will be back at home in the semi-finals when they face holders Peterborough United – another third tier side - in the week commencing February 24.

The promotion push in League One is the priority but Wrexham will have a fifth Wembley appearance in 13 years to look forward to if they can get the better of the Posh.

Parkinson made two changes from the side that started Wrexham’s last game, the 4-1 win at Port Vale in the round of 16 tie the previous Tuesday which set-up the clash with Bolton.

Lewis Brunt replaced Max Cleworth in defence with Jack Marriott coming into attack alongside Mo Faal for his first start since returning to action last month from the broken leg he sustained in October.

Harry Ashfield made way for Marriott as the Reds boss named another strong side.

Bolton made a lively start and Victor Adeboyejo fired wide from Eoin Toal’s low cross before Reds’ goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo was forced to turn George Johnston’s deep cross over the bar.

With the visitors seeing a lot of the ball, Okonkwo was called into action to make a smart save and deny Josh Dacres-Cogley who burst into the area.

Wrexham had struggled to get going but Elliot Lee slid a superb pass through to Ryan Longman whose cross was cleared.

There was a lack of chances for the Reds with Dan Scarr heading well wide from Tom O’Connor’s corner.

At the other end, a Klaidi Lolos shot following a corner was blocked by a Reds defender while Toal nodded Sheehan’s free-kick goalwards but Wrexham cleared the danger.

There was an even better opportunity for Bolton at the end of the first half but Okonkwo got down low to make a brilliant save and keep out Sheehan’s effort from the edge of the box.

Bolton made the early running after the interval and Brunt made a brilliant tackle in the six-yard box to prevent Lolos getting a shot away following George Tomason’s cross from by-line.

It took a well-timed challenge by Toal to thwart Mo Faal who ran at goal before Parkinson made a quadruple change on 63 minutes with Sam Smith, Ollie Rathbone, Ryan Barnett and Jay Rodriguez coming on for Marriott, Lee, Longman and Faal.

O'Connor’s long range effort comfortably saved by keeper Baxter while John McAtee fired wide for Bolton.

However, Wrexham took the lead in the 69th minute.

Cannon picked the ball up outside the area and his 20-yard shot went in off the post.

Smith brought a save out of Baxter while Barnett ran at goal but fired off target as the substitutes sought to make an impact.

But Wrexham had a let-off in the 89th minute when McAtee's low shot from inside area hits outside of the post and the Reds progressed to the semi-finals.

Wrexham (3-5-2): Okonkwo; Brunt, Scarr, O’Connor; Longman (Barnett 63), Cannon (Cleworth 87), Evans, Lee (Rathbone 63), Revan; Marriott (Smith 63), Faal (Rodriguez 63). Subs not used: McNicholas, Mendy.

Bolton Wanderers (3-5-2): Baxter; Toal, Forrester (Andreucci 83), Johnston; Jones, Matete (Collins 57), Sheehan, Thomason, Dacres-Cogley; Lolos (McAtee 57), Adeboyejo (Osei-Tutu 70). Subs not used: Southwood, Sharples-Ahmed, Inwood.

Attendance: 7,591 (1,269 from Bolton).