Five-star Bolton thrash Exeter

Bolton ended a run of three successive draws in League One with a 5-1 thumping of Exeter at St James Park.

Sam Dalby gave Wanderers a first-half lead before Johnny Kenny, Thierry Gale, Ibrahim Cissoko and George Johnston struck after the break to move the visitors three points ahead of fourth-placed Bradford.

Bolton dominated from the outset and opened the scoring when Kenny’s cross was med by a sliding Dalby in the 21st minute.

Dalby missed a good chance to double the lead when he scuffed a shot wide after being inadvertently put through on goal.

Joe Whitworth made a superb instinctive save to deny Dalby at the start of the second half, but the lead was extended on the hour mark when Celtic loanee Kenny headed in a Josh Sheehan corner.

Jayden Wareham reduced the arrears after 67 minutes, nodding home after Jack Bonham could only parry Ryan Rydel’s free-kick.

But Exeter’s hopes of a comeback were dashed as within the next 10 minutes Gale fired into the top corner from 20 yards and substitute Cissoko struck in off the far post.

The rout was completed in stoppage time when Exeter failed to defend a free-kick and Johnston lashed home from close range.