Bolton moved smoothly into the First Division play-offs after overcoming spirited Portsmouth.

Colin Todd's team never in danger once they had opened the scoring after 21 minutes through winger Michael Johansen.

Bolton now meet Ipswich home and away in the play-offs in a bid to return to the Premiership at the first attempt following relegation last season.

While Wolves were going down at home to Bradford City, Bolton were making no mistake on the south coast.

Johansen put them ahead to finish off a superb move started by the hard-working Claus Jensen in midfield.

Jensen surged from the halfway line before slipping a pass through for Johansen to beat veteran goalkeeper Alan Knight with a right-foot shot from 12 yards.

Portsmouth posed few problems for Bolton goalkeeper Steve Banks but he was stretched into action for the first time to deny Pompey an equaliser after the break.

Brazilian Stefani Miglioranzi seemed sure to score from close range but Banks dived to his right to make a stunning reflex save.

At the other end Knight, was also in outstanding form. He denied Jensen, Mark Fish and Bob Taylor further goals, but Bolton were not to be denied for long.

Johansen was involved again in the 67th minute with a centre from the right which was headed home powerfully at the near post by Eidur Gudjohnson.

Per Frandsen almost added another with a shot which struck a post from 12 yards.

Teams

Portsmouth: Knight, Thogersen, Robinson, McLoughlin, Whitbread, Waterman, Durnin (Nightingale 60), Peron (Igoe 77), Vlachos (Phillips 60), Claridge, Miglioranzi.

Booked: Vlachos, Whitbread.

Bolton: Banks, Cox (Bergsson 77), Elliott, Frandsen (Warhurst 81), Todd, Fish, Johansen, Jensen, Gudjohnson, Taylor (Hansen 74), Gardner.

Booked: Todd, Gudjohnson.

Goals: Johansen 20, Gudjohnson 67.

Att: 16,015

Ref: M Fletcher (Warley).