Our young Mariners suffered a 4-1 home defeat to league-leaders Bolton on Saturday.

Neil Woods made five changes to the side who fell short to Wrexham last time out, with Finley Axcell, Alfie Foy, Harry Shipstone, Jack Collins and Elliott Smith all returning to the fold.

The leaders began the tie on the front foot and took the lead inside 15 minutes when Town gave the ball away in a dangerous area for the Wanderers to capitalise on.

The visitors doubled their lead and scored a third in quick succession.

Town responded to the early pressure and created chances of their own; Charlie Clements coming close to pulling a goal back for the young Mariners.

Town did close the gap to two goals when some smart play between Shipstone and Clements allowed Smith to pull the ball back into the path of Henry Brown to fire home before the break to make it 3-1.

The second-half was a much more even contest, with Town getting on top and creating a mass of chances.

It was Bolton, however, who secured the three points with a fourth goal late in the game from close range.

Next up for our young Mariners is a game on home soil against Harrogate Town on Saturday 8th March (12pm KO).

Town: Rogers, Axcell, Graham, Foy, Onoh, Shipstone, Collins, Smith, Clements, Brown, Rennardson (Midwinter, 46’)

Unused subs: Hatton, Hawley, Jalloh, Booth