Bolton 1 Sunderland 0: Zach Clough winner boosts Trotters’ survival bid as Black Cats go bottom
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SUNDERLAND boss Chris Coleman was looking for a helping hand in his hour of need — but instead he got a slap in the face from Zach Clough.
Coleman’s side are now rooted to the bottom of the Championship, although this time their luck was truly out as Bolton sneaked a controversial goal from their little hitman.
Sunderland showed signs of life throughout this six-pointer but it was the same old story for Coleman and Co.
Free-kick specialist Filipe Morais sent over a teasing ball in the 17th minute and Clough got a touch to beat keeper Lee Camp from close range.
Sunderland claimed he had used a hand but the officials saw nothing wrong.
It was Clough’s first goal since returning from Nottingham Forest on loan and the lead gave Bolton an extra spring in their step while the Black Cats raged.
Clough and Sammy Ameobi looked a cut above a survival scrap as the home fans mocked their rivals with chants of ‘That’s why you’re going down’ as they tried to compete.
However, Sunderland did have good spells and caused a major scare when Ashley Fletcher beat the offside trap to meet a Lee Cattermole through-ball, but Bolton keeper Ben Alnwick pushed his shot away.
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Clough and Sammy Ameobi looked a cut above a survival scrap as the home fans mocked their rivals with chants of ‘That’s why you’re going down’ as they tried to compete.
However, Sunderland did have good spells and caused a major scare when Ashley Fletcher beat the offside trap to meet a Lee Cattermole through-ball, but Bolton keeper Ben Alnwick pushed his shot away.
Alnwick had to save from Paddy McNair as Sunderland improved before Fletcher headed wide.
Fletcher went closer still when he picked up on a Mark Beevers slip and saw his shot hit David Wheater and fall agonisingly past the far post.
There was sign of genuine fight in the Sunderland ranks, with Lamine Kone squaring up to Aaron Wilbraham after a bad tackle.
However, the Wearsiders cried out for quality up front, with Fletcher skying a chance after some decent approach work by Cattermole and George Honeyman.
Joel Asoro tried hard but got little change out of Bolton’s back line.
Bolton’s fans were anxious long before the end and howled when boss Phil Parkinson took off Clough after an hour to go more defensive.
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Yet Bolton are edging closer to safety, mainly thanks to their solid home form.
Parkinson is getting more out of this wafer-thin squad than many expected.
Ameobi almost claimed a second to ease the pressure. Sub Adam Le Fondre brought a great save out of Camp and Jem Karacan cracked the bar.
Coleman’s agony was complete when Fletcher missed an inviting cross from sub Callum McManaman.
And the winger was then denied by Alnwick with time running out.
In more ways than one.