Bolton edge Bradford to set up Wembley play-off final With Stockport

Bolton edge Bradford to set up Wembley play-off final With Stockport

Bolton Wanderers booked their place in the League One play-off final after defeating Bradford City 1-0 at Valley Parade to seal a 2-0 aggregate victory.

Steven Schumacher’s side arrived with a slender advantage from the first leg and looked composed throughout a tense evening in West Yorkshire. While chances were limited during a cagey first half, Bolton controlled possession well and frustrated a Bradford side struggling to find rhythm in the final third.

The game burst into life after the interval as Bradford pushed forward in search of an equaliser. Jack Bonham produced a stunning save to tip Max Power’s fierce long-range strike onto the crossbar, while Tyreik Wright also threatened as the home crowd sensed momentum swinging their way.

The Bantams thought they had levelled the tie when Kayden Jackson headed home from close range, only for the offside flag to cut celebrations short.

Moments later, Bolton delivered the decisive blow. Breaking quickly down the left, substitute Xavier Simons kept his cool inside the area and drilled a first-time finish beyond the goalkeeper with nine minutes remaining.

The Wanderers will now face Stockport County at Wembley on 24 May with promotion to the Championship on the line.