Charles nets a hat-trick for five-star Bolton

Dion Charles scored a hat-trick as Bolton marked their 5,000th league game was a thumping 5-0 victory at shell-shocked Peterborough.

Charles notched three times in a nine-minute spell either side of half-time as in-form Wanderers romped to a fourth straight win League One.

Posh had also won their previous three but were swept aside by their promotion rivals.

Wanderers went in front early on when Ricardo Santos bundled home ahead of Gethin Jones following a free-kick into the box by Aaron Morley.

Posh came close to a swift reply when Ephron Mason-Clark’s effort was well saved by James Trafford.

The Bolton goalkeeper was also impressive when keeping out Jonson Clarke-Harris’ strike.

Bolton went 2-0 up from the spot three minutes before the interval.

Charles sent Will Norris the wrong way after Shola Shoretire had been upended by Nathan Thompson.

Charles secured his treble just six minutes after the restart.

He coolly converted Jones’ cross in the 47th minute, before slotting home a second penalty four minutes later after Shoretire had been upended by Frankie Kent.

Santos capped a dream afternoon for Bolton when he slammed home with 13 minutes left.