Soccer: Bolton reach play-off final

Bolton reached the Division One play-off final with a 3-0 win over West Brom at the Reebok Stadium giving them a 5-2 aggregate triumph.

Gudni Bergsson, Ricardo Gardner and Michael Ricketts got the goals which saw off Gary Megson's Baggies.

In front of a capacity crowd at the Reebok Stadium, the visitors dominated much of the play but were unable to breach a resolute Bolton defence.

The Baggies, who let slip a two-goal lead in the first leg at The Hawthorns, began brightly with a dangerous cross from Jason van Blerk eluding everyone after just four minutes.

Former Bristol Rovers striker Jason Roberts, with 17 goals to his name so far this season, went close to opening the scoring three minutes later as he cut inside from the left and fired a right-foot shot inches wide of Matt Clarke's right-hand post.

But despite Albion's early pressure, it was Sam Allardyce's men who opened the scoring after 10 minutes.

Simon Charlton's curling free-kick wreaked havoc in the visitors defence and defender Bergsson got in front of Tony Butler to poke the ball home from close range.

It was the Bolton skipper's 10th goal of the season and his second in this particular tie.

The goal failed to deter Gary Megson's men, with Scottish international Colin Hendry forced into a crucial intervention to deny Lee Hughes after 19 minutes.

Hendry was booked a minute later as he brought down the dangerous Roberts.

But Neil Clement was unable to capitalise as he curled his free-kick over the crossbar from 20 yards.

Despite trailing, West Brom looked the better side and Clarke was forced to make a vital catch from Des Lyttle's right-wing cross as the Bolton goal came under continued pressure.

Michael Appleton was booked for a foul on Bolton's Ricardo Gardner after 35 minutes and seconds later, the omnipresent Hendry blocked Roberts' goalbound effort.

The hosts almost scored a second on the stroke of half-time as Gardner found himself in space following Gareth Farrelly's neat pass, but his first touch was poor and Clement was able to distract him sufficiently to force the striker to shoot wide.

Bolton began the second period in a much more positive fashion but were unable to carve out any clear openings as they sought to put the tie out of reach.

The visitors had a chance to equalise after 55 minutes when Ruel Fox headed a van Blerk cross into the danger zone, but Hughes was unable to get the necessary final touch.

With the game beginning to open up, Bo Hansen had a rasping drive blocked by Clement and the defender denied Hansen again a minute later as he threatened to shoot from a tight angle.

Back came West Brom and Hughes should have done better with a header after finding himself in plenty of space following a Richard Sneekes centre.

But Bolton notched a crucial second after 63 minutes when Gardner raced onto a glorious Anthony Barness pass and despatched his left-foot shot with aplomb past the despairing Russell Hoult.

Megson immediately made three changes with Jordao, Bob Taylor and Larus Sigurdsson replacing van Blerk, Phil Gilchrist and former Bolton player Sneekes.

Fox had a low shot well saved by Clarke after 70 minutes and two minutes later, Roberts made some room for himself but dragged his tame right-foot effort wide.

Bolton should have added a third with eight minutes remaining but Hansen fired his shot straight at Hoult after escaping the attentions of Clement.

But the game was made safe in injury time as substitute Ricketts shrugged off Sigurdsson, rounded Hoult and slotted the ball into the empty net forhis 23rd goal of the season to send the home faithful into raptures.