Bolton end seven-year Championship win drought with 2-1 victory over Preston

Sam Dalby and Thierry Gale scored first-half goals as Bolton beat Preston 2-1 at the Toughsheet Community Stadium on 15 August 2026 — Bolton's first Championship win since March 2019. Preston substitute Jusef Erabi headed in with four minutes left, but Bolton held on. The Championship is England's second tier, one step below the Premier League.