Bolton took on fellow Reserve league strugglers Wigan at Robin Park Arena on Monday with Nicky Hunt and Ivan Campo back in action after lengthy absenses.
On 30 minutes Josip Skoko scored for the Latics when Alan Mahon's shot hit the post, rebounded to Gary Teale who set up Skoko with an easy tap in.
Bolton found chances few and far between and in a close encounter Skoko's strike was enough to win it for local rivals Wigan.
On the plus side, Nicky Hunt and Ivan Campo played the full 90 minutes and suffered no problems after returning from injury.
TEAM:
Howarth, Hunt, Stott, Whitehead, Ellis, Hill, Campo, Fernandes, Jamieson, Buval, Smith.
SUBS NOT USED:
Ashton, Powell, Sissons, Sinclair.