Bolton legend John McGinlay became the unwitting figurehead for fans’ protests as thousands of Wanderers supporters voiced their anger at controversial owner Ken Anderson last night.
But on the field the struggling Lancashire club slumped a step closer relegation thanks to goals in each half from Jay Rodriguez and Scott Field.
Former Bolton favourite McGinlay was banned from the ground and his role as local radio pundit for the meeting with promotion-chasing Albion after making critical comments about Anderson’s reign in charge.
From a yard out, Jay Rodrguez steers home Craig Dawson's header for the opening goal
BOLTON: Alnwick, Taylor, Beevers, Hobbs, Olkowski, Ameobi, O'Neill, Lowe, Noone (Pritchard 82), Murphy (Buckley 68), Donaldson (Magennis 68)
SUBS NOT USED: Matthews, Wilson, Wheater, Connell
BOOKED: Olkowski, Donaldson
WEST BROM: Johnstone, Holgate, Dawson, Hegazi, Gibbs, Barry, Harper (Adarabioyo 90), Brunt (Field 26), Robson-Kanu (Sako 85), Gayle, Rodriguez
SUBS NOT USED: Bond, Bartley, Hoolahan, Leko
BOOKED: Barry, Holgate
GOAL: Rodriguez 19, Field 75
The pre-planned demo saw up to 3,000 Bolton fans gather outside the stadium an hour before kick-off, chanting McGinlay’s name and demanding Anderson leaves their club.
They also marched around the ground, joined by McGinlay himself, in a loud but peaceful protest against Anderson, who claims to be talking to two potential new buyers for the former Premier League club.
Protesting fans with banners also congregated inside the ground and a handful threw tennis balls onto the field as the televised game was about to kick off, delaying the start by a few seconds.
It was a night that had an air of simmering tension about it but Bolton fans were quickly focused on the field of play, rather than the boardroom, when Gary O’Neil glanced just wide from Craig Noone’s third minute cross.
Trotters' fans held peaceful but vocal protests outside the stadium before the game
The supporters were calling for controversial owner Ken Anderson to leave the club
