Bolton Wanderers prepared for the beginning of their Championship season with a narrow defeat against Dutch top-flight side Vitesse.

In front of just over 5,000 fans at the Macron Stadium, the game started in cagey fashion with very little goalmouth action.

Indeed, the first shot of note was Vitesse's goal in the 16th minute, which came from a powerful Marko Vejinovic free kick that proved too much for young keeper Ross Fitzsimons.

Bolton nearly fell further behind when Kelvin Leerdam delivered a threatening ball into the area that Kevin McNaughton managed to clear.

As the game continued, Wanderers desperately looked for an equaliser with Jay Spearing resorting to shots from distance, with one effort only narrowly missing the crossbar.

The best chance of the game for the home side came in the final ten minutes when McNaughton provided a pinpoint cross for Neil Danns, and his header was kept out by a strong reflex save from Piet Velthuizen.

In the end, Bolton couldn't find a breakthrough, but still have a week to prepare ahead of their Championship opener against Watford.