More derby dismay as Bolton Wanderers make it a hat-trick against woeful Wigan Athletic

In all fairness, the scoreline hugely flattered a Latics side who barely laid a glove on their opponents, and didn’t force Bolton goalkeeper Jack Bonham – making his debut – into a save worthy of the name.

At the other end, only the brilliance again of Sam Tickle – and some poor finishing – kept Latics in the game until Sheehan’s 82nd-minute thunderbolt from distance.

Bolton should have taken the lead early on when Mason Burstow fired way off target after Tickle had parried out a Xavier Simons effort into his path.

Tickle was then required to make a fantastic save at point-blank range to keep out a Max Conway header off Amario Cozier-Duberry’s cross.

Latics managed to get through to half-time without conceding, but the second half was very much the same story.

Sam Dalby volleyed over the top from close range, before the same player headed powerfully towards the bottom corner, only for Tickle to get down in a flash to make a fine save.

Wigan’s only chance of the game came and went when Callum Wright’s cross was steered wide by Harrison Bettoni when he had to at least hit the target.

And Wigan were made to pay a high price with eight minutes to go when Sheehan’s long-range rocket moved all over the place to wrongfoot Tickle and nestle in the back of the net.

Bolton came far closer to a second goal than Latics an equaliser, with Sheehan seeing a corner flicked on at the near post and flashing inches beyond the far post.

And Cozier-Duberry thought he had doubled the lead, only for his powerful shot to end up the wrong side of the upright.