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Anthony Pilkington's volley earned Cardiff victory against bottom club Bolton Wanderers in the Championship.

The Trotters, whose players were not paid last month, twice battled back from behind against the visitors.

Tony Watt struck in off the post for Cardiff before Gary Madine curled in a leveller from outside the area.

Scott Malone bundled in his rebounded effort to put Cardiff back in front, and even though Dorian Dervite equalised, Pilkington struck late on.

Pilkngton's volley from Kenwyne Jones's flick-on was enough to put the Bluebirds into sixth place, and was a further blow in an uncertain week for the Trotters.

Bolton, with just one league win this term and four points adrift of safety, are in a perilous financial state, with their players not paid in November and owner Eddie Davies not prepared to invest any more money until the club is sold.

There are hopes a takeover could be completed this week, and the north-west side are in dire need of some good news after a spirited performance against Cardiff failed to produce any points towards their survival bid.

Instead it was the Bluebirds who felt the boost of a much-needed win, having dropped down to 10th with one win from their previous six games.

Bolton Wanderers manager Neil Lennon:

"I don't think a resolution is far away from the club being taken over.

"The wages will get paid and the players have been assured of that. So that's not been a distraction for them.

"But it's paramount the future of the club is safeguarded no matter who takes over. I know nothing about the interested parties but [adviser to club board] is confident something will get resolved in the next few days.

"I am scratching my head as to how we lost the game. I don't know how many times I've had to do that this season.

"But if you miss simple chances then you are going to give yourself a problem. Games in the Championship are about both boxes and we didn't do well enough in both boxes defensively or attacking-wise."

Cardiff City manager Russell Slade:

"We got ourselves in a good situation and scored a great goal but to be fair to Bolton they didn't lie down all afternoon and kept fighting back.

"But we responded in a real positive way and played some good attacking football. At times we moved the ball really well and looked a good side but it is that consistency with and without the ball we need to find.

"We are doing it for spells but it needs to be for longer spells or more consistent in what we are doing all the time.

"At times we looked a good side and at others I thought 'that is poor.' But we looked a threat going forward with Pilkington in the side and it's nice to score a few goals in open play."