Debutant Tuncay Sanli may have caught the eye with his goal and assist in Bolton's 2-1 Carling Cup victory at home to Macclesfield but manager Owen Coyle was equally pleased to blood some youngsters.
Right-back Joe Riley was handed his first senior start and was later joined on the pitch in the second half by fellow 19-year-old Adam Blakeman and late on 20-year-old striker Michael O'Halloran was given his first run out.
"To get those three kids on the park was special," said Coyle. "I want to rear our own players and I thought Joe Riley was man of the match from start to finish, I thought he was excellent. Blakeman came on and looked a terrific footballer and his first pass was the best of the game, while Michael came on and looked a real threat."
He added: "He was unlucky not to score and I said to him 'Don't ever be afraid to miss chances - I had a career of them'.
"To win the game, make eight changes and have those three kids involved it was a night of positives."
By the time O'Halloran arrived the game had already been won as Tuncay's scissor-kick volley had cancelled out Emile Sinclair's opener for the League Two visitors before Martin Petrov fired home the winner with 17 minutes remaining.
Coyle also had a word of praise of Tuncay, who made his long-awaited debut almost a fortnight after agreeing a loan deal from Wolfsburg because of a delay obtaining his work permit.
"Tuncay put himself in great positions and we know the ability he has," added the Wanderers boss.
"He hasn't trained with us for 10 days so for him to come in and show the desire and hunger from the start is a credit.
"He produced a terrific finish and he was desperate to get another. He will get better as he gets fitter."
Source: PA
