Bolton reached the Sky Bet League One play-off final by beating Barnsley 5-4 on aggregate.
Leading 3-1 from the first leg of their semi-final, Bolton were determined to get the job done and defeat the team that knocked them out at this stage last season, and they almost succeeded despite losing 3-2 in the return match.
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Eoin Toal gave Bolton a 2-1 lead
There were some nerves as Sam Cosgrove gestured Barnsley back into the tie, but goals from Aaron Collins and Eoin Toal before half-time seemingly took the game beyond the Tykes.
Barnsley then staged a grandstand finish thanks to goals from Adam Phillips and a second from Cosgrove, but Bolton managed to reach Wembley.
Barnsley win second leg at Toughsheet, but Bolton do just enough
Barnsley had everything to do at the Toughsheet to try and reach the final, just as they did last year, and it looked promising in the 36th minute as John McAtee crossed smartly for Cosgrove to head in.
But by half-time Bolton had turned the tables, as Collins unleashed a fine shot from 25 yards, before Toal nodded home from close range from a corner to complete the turnaround on the night.
Barnsley were handed a lifeline as a mistake from Ricardo Santos allowed them to sweep forward and find Phillips, who then saw his striker deflect off the Trotters captain and go inside. While Cosgrove scored a second to give the Tykes hope. But it wasn’t to be, as Bolton crawled over the line.
Bolton will now face either Peterborough or Oxford in the final at Wembley for a place in the Championship, with the second leg taking place on Wednesday evening – live on Sky Sports Football from 7.30pm; kick-off at 8 p.m.
And after?
Bolt qualify for the Sky Bet League One play-off final, where they will face either Peterborough Or Oxford at Wembley on Saturday May 18.
Barnsley will remain in the third division for the 2024/25 campaign.
