Bolton Wanderers secured their return to the Championship for the first time since 2019 with a commanding 4-1 victory over Stockport County in the League One play-off final at Wembley.
Substitute Sam Dalby proved instrumental, scoring a crucial third goal and playing a key role in an earlier own goal that restored Bolton's lead. Ruben Rodrigues bookended the scoring, netting the opener in the third minute and converting a late penalty.
Stockport's day was marred by the stoppage-time dismissal of former Bolton right-back Josh Dacres-Cogley, who received a red card for a hair pull on Ibrahim Cissoko. The Hatters had earlier seen a goal disallowed by VAR, a technology absent during the regular season.
Bolton goalkeeper Jack Bonham made a crucial block to deny substitute Tanto Olaofe before Dalby's overhead kick and Rodrigues' penalty sealed the emphatic win, ensuring Bolton's seventh play-off final appearance ended in glory.
