Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Preston North End: Bolton win on Championship return

A draw would have been incredibly harsh on a Bolton side who looked fresh and composed and particularly dangerous on the break through Gale, Dalby and the excellent McAtee.

McAtee’s cross shot forced the first goal when keeper Daniel Iversen’s weak parry fell straight to Dalby and was beautifully guided into the net.

New signings Akin Famewo, Luca Stephenson and Gaizka Larrazabal all made steady debuts while the visitors barely had a look in.

North End were second best for the vast majority of an entertaining opening-day match, lacking any sort of goal threat until a triple substitution injected some life and urgency into the visitors, with Odeluga Offiah, Leo Leroy and Erabi.

Milutin Osmajic instantly went close and then missed a glorious chance to reduce the deficit when he raced through on goal and chose to pass rather take responsibility.

Erabi’s powerful header, which went in via the underside of the bar, was the start of some sustained pressure but they could not forced a leveller despite creating two excellent opportunities.

Both fell to Lindsay, who headed wide with the first opening and then somehow nodded the ball over from point-blank range.