Mark Beevers’ bundled effort kept Bolton Wanderers in touch with the League One automatic promotion places following a scrappy 1-0 win over Rochdale at the Macron Stadium on Tuesday night.

Beevers reacted first during a goal-line scramble to stab the ball over the line after 83 minutes, which settled a drab all Greater Manchester encounter.

Chances were at a premium throughout in the first-half, though Gary Madine, Adam Le Fondre and Liam Trotter all went close for Phil Parkinson’s outfit towards the conclusion of an uneventful opening period.

After the interval, the contest opened up, with both sides going in search of the elusive goal to claim maximum points.

However, with seven minutes remaining, Wanderers found a way through the resilient Rochdale defence after Madine’s looping header from Jay Spearing’s corner crashed off the bar to cause carnage on Dale’s goal-line, with the ball falling to Beevers, who made the decisive touch.

Bolton remain in third position, while Keith Hill’s play-off chasers drop down to ninth in the third-tier.

So, what have we learned from Bolton’s win over Rochdale at the Macron Stadium? Shoot! reveals all…

Bolton close in on the top two

Following a six-game winless run, along with financial issues off the pitch, Bolton have claimed back-to-back victories in two contrasting performances on home soil.

Having emphatically put four past Walsall on Saturday, Wanderers welcomed play-off hopefuls Rochdale, looking to keep up the pressure on the top two automatic promotion places in League One.

A most unlikely source proved to be Bolton’s match-winner late in the game. It was debatable, but Beevers’ impact has seen the Whites go into a testing few matches off the back of successive victories.

Yes, it was far from a classic, but Parkinson’s battlers showed professionalism to grind out, and see through an all-important triumph against Dale.

Bolton travel to Yorkshire in the coming weeks to face fellow promotion rivals, Bradford City and Sheffield United, games which could define their campaign.

Playing 3-5-2 could be the way forward for Bolton

Bolton boss Parkinson tinkered with his formation on Saturday in the rout of the Saddlers. It worked to great effect, so 3-5-2 was once again used from the off.

The industrious and energetic Filipe Morais, who has been excellent in his first few outings in a Bolton shirt, proved a real thorn in Dale’s right side with his sweeping pace, and excellent delivery.

Morais, along with Andrew Taylor, and latterly Dean Moxey, pressed high and brought a different dimension to Wanderers’ new found system.

Bolton’s attacking options could benefit from the new formation, should it be fully implemented.

Keith Hill has Rochdale well set-up

Despite being on the wrong end of the result on Tuesday night, Rochdale were unfortunate to head back to Spotland empty handed.

Having survived mounting pressure from the hosts, Dale emerged looking like a completely different side after the interval.

In a contrast to the first-half; in which they sat deep looking to frustrate their opponents, Keith Hill’s men ramped up the pressure, with Oliver Rathbone skimming an effort just past the upright, while Ian Henderson also went close.

Manager Hill has his men well drilled in their responsibilities. They should have left Bolton with a point, and will feel aggrieved about the way Beevers’ winner occurred.

Three is the magic number for Bolton’s defence

The new formation that Parkinson has introduced has also revitalised Bolton’s back-line, with Wheater, Beevers and Derik Osede all performing admirably as a trio.

In particular, Wanderers are finally bringing the best out of Spaniard Derik, who has flourished in the last two outings.

Playing on the right-side of the three, Derik has come into the starting line-up as cover for Lawrie Wilson. The former Charlton Athletic man is out of action due to a hamstring injury.

Attack-minded Taylor had impressed as a left wing-back for 45 minutes, until limping off for Moxey, who enjoyed the freedom of the same role.

Dale’s goal drought

Rochdale have now played five games in all competitions without scoring a goal. Concerning form that has seen them drop three-points off the play-offs.

Dale last found the net in a defeat at Southend United back in January, thanks to Calvin Andrew’s strike at Roots Hall.

Since then, they have gone on a drought which has derailed their campaign, falling out of the play-off positions in the process.

Even though they stood firm for 82 minutes, Hill’s side rarely threatened to breach Bolton, and were restricted to few clear-cut efforts on goal, on what was another frustrating night.