BOLTON 1, BARROW 0

Ex-BARROW boss Ian Evatt again enjoyed bragging rights over his former team as Barrow’s Carabao Cup campaign ended in a tame defeat.

Evatt’s Wanderers were 3-2 winners when the sides met in the knockout stages of last season’s EFL Trophy, Bolton going on to lift the trophy at Wembley.

But this latest encounter was far less enthralling with the League Two visitors never threatening to cause an upset against last season’s third tier play-off semi-finalists.

And while denied a potentially money-spinning tie further down the line, manager Pete Wild will settle for three points when AFC entertain Sutton United on Saturday.

The tie’s only goal came after 44 minutes as West Brom loanee Zac Ashworth marked his debut with a first senior goal.

Manager Wild made five changes to the side that won at Prenton Park on the opening day of the season. Match winner Kian Spence was among the substitutes this time.

Evatt named practically a new starting line-up to the team that won impressively against Lincoln City. Only Jack Iredale, captain Ricardo Santos and Josh Dacres-Cogley remained.

Paul Farman’s intervention prevented Wanderers taking a second-minute lead. Intricate passing created a shooting chance for Dan Nlundulu but the keeper saved the striker’s deflected effort.

Jack Iredale, scorer of Bolton’s opening goal against the Imps, also went close as Barrow laboured to break out of their own half.

And then ex-Fleetwood favourite Carlos Mendes Gomes missed a 12th-minute sitter from five yards as the visitors’ goal enjoyed a charmed life.

Barrow lifted the siege to fashion a 14th-minute corner but Wanderers continued to dominate possession, again going close through Mendes Gomes’ right-foot curler.

When Sam Foley countered midfielder George Thomason’s foul brought a yellow card from referee Anthony Backhouse and a free kick in a promising position.

Dean Campbell’s set piece was harmless. However, Barrow stayed forward and Junior Tiensia’s attempt cannoned off fellow debutant Courtney Duffus and narrowly wide of an upright.

Four minutes from half-time George Ray’s foul on Cameron Jerome led to a caution for the defender, a free kick 20 yards out and ultimately the opening goal from Ashworth.

The Baggies youngster’s left foot free kick was unerringly accurate into the bottom corner of Farman’s net.

Tyrell Warren became the third Barrow yellow card for tripping Iredale, an innocuous challenge which almost certainly would have avoided punishment before this season’s stricter sanctions.

Both sides made copious changes as the game meandered to an inevitable conclusion. Spence was among the Barrow replacements, his major contribution yielding a 71st-minute booking for a foul on the match winner.

Seven minutes of stoppage time brought goal scoring chances for both sides. But Farman kept out Victor Adeboyejo’s close range effort and David Worrall wafted tamely when given a chance to equalise.