Bristol Rovers could be the turning point in helping Bolton Wanderers beat Derby County to promotion | OneFootball

Bolton Wanderers’ 2-0 victory at the Memorial Ground against Bristol Rovers on Saturday afternoon was hard-fought and, for large parts, fairly unconvincing.

Their South West opponents were well in the contest before and after halftime but genuine quality in both boxes, something that Bolton have missed as they have faltered in the second half of the season, swung the game their way.

Two things were very apparent, though, with one being the return of Nathan Baxter between the sticks and the other being the continued emergence of the Trotters’ latest talisman Aaron Collins.

Nathan Baxter's return could be the difference-maker for Bolton

After a fairly tepid attacking display from Bolton for large parts of the first half, Rovers began to turn the screw and there were moments where they were really in the ascendancy.

However, either side of halftime, Nathan Baxter, who has been missing with a wrist injury since early February, made some crucial saves to keep the scores level.

Then, in the dying moments, as the Gas chased an equaliser, the former Hull City stopper showed the levels of composure and experience that he has done throughout this campaign to appear older than his still tender age for a goalkeeper of 25.

In 28 League One appearances before his fairly serious injury, Baxter had kept an impressive 12 clean sheets but in the 14 games in which he was absent, the Trotters managed just three shutouts with a backup goalkeeper, Bolton-born Joel Coleman, standing in.

It is perhaps unfair on Coleman but also not too unrealistic to suggest the difference between Bolton’s recent performances and Saturday was simply the steadiness and assuredness that Baxter provided to ensure the scores stayed level.

In a tight battle for automatic promotion – with Derby County two points ahead but Bolton having a game in hand – every advantage matters and the return of Baxter could be a significant one.

Aaron Collins capitalises against his former club

On the subject of advantages, the form of January signing Aaron Collins continues to be a key one for Ian Evatt and his side.

Their new talisman proved to be the difference against his former employers on the weekend. He received an excellent pass from George Thomason before dinking confidently over goalkeeper Jed Ward for the opener.

Collins has now scored seven goals and provided two assists since arriving at the Toughsheet Community Stadium, meaning he has now hit double figures for both goals and assists for a second successive campaign.

The composure and extra level of quality he has shown in recent weeks was perhaps something missing in the last couple of months as Bolton began to flounder.

The victory itself may not quite be a turning point but rather the manner of the result is a symbol of something. It was an even contest that Bolton arguably underperformed in, as they have done for large parts of the second half of this season, but genuine moments of quality at either end of the pitch, that have been missing due to either injury or an adaptation period, proved to be the difference.

Baxter's return has brought extra security at the back, with the defenders even seeming a little more comfortable in possession, and that alongside the form of Collins, who now seems up to full speed after his January arrival, has meant Bolton have won games that previously they would've drawn or lost.

They have turned the pressure up on Derby, who slipped up against Wycombe Wanderers in midweek, and now look set to finish the season with a flourish as they bid to steal ahead of the Rams into a top two finish and promotion to the Championship.