BOLTON 1 CITY 0

CITY’S early season, like the infuriating picture on iFollow, continues to buffer.

Once more, it was a difficult, hugely frustrating watch for the fans at home who had paid for the stream from the University of Bolton Stadium.

The images came and went, then froze, before a message saying “this event has ended” popped up on countless screens barely half an hour in.

It appeared to sum up City’s night to an extent after becoming the first visiting side to lose at Bolton since February 1.

The winning goal was a farcical affair before the Bantams missed a penalty to salvage something from a much improved second half. The gnashing of teeth was as much on the touchline as behind the computer monitors.

Chances were made and missed – and the opportunity of at least sharing the spoils flickered and went.

Stuart McCall has promised to simplify things and tone down the team tinkering that might confuse his players.

But there were still another four changes as he reverted to the three central-defenders, two wing-back system that had worked effectively against Bolton in the Carabao Cup.

It should have earned some reward last night.

The changes up front were injury-enforced with Lee Novak out with a tight calf – missing his first league game since signing in January - and Kurtis Guthrie struggling with his thigh. In their absence, McCall paired Billy Clarke just off Bolton old boy Clayton Donaldson.

Paudie O’Connor came in at the back and there was a chance for youngster Finn Cousin-Dawson as a holding midfielder.

Bolton, without the injured Eoin Doyle, fashioned the first openings with a tame effort from Nathan Delfouneso and a more menacing attempt by Alex Baptiste blocked by Paudie O’Connor.

But the hosts made it count from their next attack on 13 minutes. It was a comedy of errors from a City viewpoint – and a personal embarrassment for Elliot Watt.

His header aimed towards Richard O’Donnell fell woefully short and that sent Antoni Sarcevic through on goal.

The Bolton skipper’s lob over O’Donnell bounced back off the bar but Watt, back-pedalling to try to make amends, hit the bar again trying to clear – and Delfouneso was on hand to mop up the rebound before a panicky defence had time to gather their senses.

It was the fifth time in the last six games that City had conceded the opening goal – and left them in familiar territory of once more having to chase.

Bryce Hosannah was back from injury and looked to offer some resistance as he fired wide. But Bolton, buoyed by that goal, continued to probe with their pass-heavy approach.

Sarcevic’s runs beyond Bolton’s front two were causing problems and Anthony O’Connor had to stretch to cut out a dangerous low ball in front of goal.

Then, just as half-time approached, City had a big chance to level with only their second shot.

Donaldson cut a pass back in the box to find Callum Cooke unmarked – but he blazed over from 12 yards as the wait for that elusive first goal goes on.

Home keeper Billy Crellin, heavily criticised by boss Ian Evatt after a weekend howler, had still not been tested.

And Ali Crawford nearly dished out further punishment before the break with a free-kick that whizzed narrowly over as Bolton finished as they’d begun.

The home momentum continued into the second half with Crawford working space for a bending shot that was held by O’Donnell. Then Harry Brockbank advanced to fire over the angle.

Hosannah remained the real bright light for the Bantams and worked his way into the Bolton box, a neat one-two with Clarke creating a sudden opening. 

But a deflection took the sting off the loanee’s shot which did at least force Crellin into action after his earlier free ride.

Bolton got away with one as Hosannah again surged into the box. Ryan Delaney appeared to tug his shirt as he kept his feet to jab into the side-netting – McCall and Kenny Black were both screaming for a penalty.

There was a lot more about City since the break and Connor Wood’s volley was thrashed just wide of his own goal by Peter Kioso.

City’s increasing belief was rewarded when Anthony O’Connor, who kept appearing in attacking positions, was bundled over in the box by Delfouneso.

Clarke stepped up – as he had done to score against Walsall – but his tame attempt was easily saved by Crellin before Ricardo Santos whacked the rebound off the Irishman’s toe.

City kept pushing and Anthony O’Connor was inches away four minutes from time with a thumping drive.

But Bolton survived the increasingly desperate onslaught to finally break their home hoodoo.

The Bantams, meanwhile, were left to reflect on coming up empty-handed again after failing to make their pressure count.

BOLTON: Crellin 7, Baptiste 6, Santos 7, Delaney 7, Kioso 6, Tutte 6 (Comley 76min), Sarcevic 8, Brockbank 6 (Mascoll 65min), Crawford 7, Delfouneso 7, Gnahoua 6 (Darcy 90min). Subs (not used): Gordon, Taft, Hickman, Greenidge.

CITY: O’Donnell 6, A O’Connor 7, P O’Connor 6, Richards-Everton 7, Hosannah 8, Cousin-Dawson 6 (Pritchard 69min), Watt 6, Cooke 6, Wood 6, Clarke 5 (Samuels 76min), Donaldson 5. Subs (not used) Longridge, French, Mottley-Henry, Staunton, Hornby.

CITY MAN OF MATCH: Bryce Hosannah.