MIKAEL Mandron scored twice - the second a late winner from the spot – as Crewe won their first EFL Trophy group game at Bolton.

The summer strike recruit looked a threat throughout in a game that Dave Artell's side should have settled long before the closing stages. But after a dominant first-half showing they let the hosts back in and Ian Evatt's side pegged Crewe back twice before Mandron ensured there was no need for a penalty shoot-out.

At the University of Bolton Stadium there was a debut for new signing Omar Beckles as well as a first senior start for young midfielder Josh Lundstram as Dave Artell made five changes from the side which went down to Lincoln in the Caraboa Cup last Saturday.

Teenager Travis Johnson made only his second senior start at right back and Offrande Zanzala was fit enough to be brought in up front alongside Mandron.

Callum Ainley, drafted into midfield, produced an excellent free kick which found Mandron at the far post where the frontman claimed his first Crewe goal with a thumping header (15).

Crewe could easily have had three or four in the first period as they danced around the League Two side's defence.

Billy Sass-Davies had impressed when starting against Lincoln and the giant centre half showed a classy touch bringing the ball out from the back. None more so than when the Welshman threaded a ball from the half way line through to Lundstram who was thwarted inside the box by keeper Billy Crellin in the opening minutes.

Zanzala dragged an effort wide and Ainley swept over after a neat back flick from Owen Dale. Dale, himself, went close with a sweet volley which flew inches over.

Bolton mustered only an occasional threat and Dave Richards - in the Alex goal again with Will Jaaskelainen on international duty – was barely occupied before the break.

So it was something of a surprise when Wanderers reemerged after the restart slicker and stronger to enjoy a spell of domination. They carved out a 52nd-minute leveller when Crewe switched off at the back post with Eoin Doyle relaying Ali Crawford's cross back across goal for a simple tap-in for Ryan Delaney.

Beckles then blocked a Nathan Delfouneso effort and Doyle was handed a free header that he steered wide.

Crewe were still a threat, though, and Bolton goalscorer Delaney cleared off the line from the impressive Mandron, who moments later powered a header over.

Dale restored Crewe's lead (66) with a superb strike, cutting in from the right and evading a couple of white shirts before driving left footed into the far corner.

The defensive slackness that was a feature of Crewe's second-half reared its head moments later when substitute Charlie Kirk gave the ball away and Doyle, put clear on goal, pulled his shot wide of the post.

Bolton were level again when former Alex man Shaun Miller took a Crawford pass and drove in from the right of the box (74) soon after arriving off the bench.

But Mandron won it from the spot in the 89th-minute, sending keeper Crellin the wrong way after George Taft had run across the path of the marauding Dale.

Bolton 2, Crewe 3

Bolton: Crellin; Taft, Brockbank, Delaney; Gordon, White (Comley), Sarcevic, Hickman (Jones), Crawford; Doyle, Delfouneso (Miller)