Lennon fires up Bolton

NEIL LENNON enjoyed success in his first derby in England as Bolton blew away neighbours Wigan last night to record a third straight home win. Lennon has his fair share of derby experience from four years in charge of Celtic and whatever he said at half-time did the trick here. Goals from Max Clayton, Craig Davies and Lee Chung-Yong in 15 second-half minutes gave the hosts three points and lifted them from second-bottom in the table to the dizzy heights of 17th. Wigan’s rotten luck in front of goal was evident throughout the first half. Callum McManaman went close when he drifted in from the left wing and let fly from 30 yards but saw his effort clip the top of the crossbar, with Bolton keeper Andrew Lonergan well beaten. McManaman struck the woodwork again in first-half stoppage time. This time the 23-year-old appeared on the right of the penalty area and shifted the ball on to his left foot, only to see his low, curling effort strike the outside of a post. Wigan were punished for their profligacy as Bolton struck two hammer blows inside the opening 10 minutes of the second period. First Clayton headed the ball down to Lee, whose return pass sent the striker clear, and his finish through the legs of Carson was clinical. Wigan were reeling and the second goal arrived when Liam Feeney’s cross was powered in by Davies. Leon Barnett capped a miserable night when his push on Matt Mills led to a penalty, which Lee converted coolly. McManaman pulled one back on 79 minutes but Wigan’s slump continues. LEEDS have been served a winding-up petition for unpaid fees dating back to when the club was owned by Ken Bates. Law firm Ford & Warren has filed the petition — reported to be for around £ 150,000 — on behalf of former club director Melvyn Levi.

The case is due to be heard at Leeds Combined Court on January 13.