SUNDERLAND suffered the heaviest defeat EVER in the third tier as they were trounced 6-0 by Bolton.
The Black Cats, who started the afternoon in the automatic promotion places, have now slipped to third after one of the most shocking results of the season.
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Mid-table Bolton took the lead in the 19th minute when Dion Charles gave the hosts a surprise lead.
And Wanderers doubled their advantage shortly before half-time as Charles’ strike partner Oladapo Afolayan grabbed his ninth league goal of the campaign.
Charles inflicted more misery on promotion-chasing Sunderland six minutes after the break as he swept home his second of the afternoon.
And it was four before the hour mark as Kieran Lee got his name on the scoresheet.
Former Wolves defender Danny Batth then turned into his own net in the closing stages to hand Bolton a fifth.
And there was still time for Declan John to nab a sixth for the North West outfit on a remarkable afternoon at the University of Bolton Stadium.
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As reported by Richard Jolly, it is the heaviest loss Sunderland have ever experienced in the third tier of English football.
They have now dropped to third in the table following Rotherham’s 2-0 win over Crewe Alexander.
Sunderland are two points behind league leaders Rotherham and have played two games more.
The Black Cats are also one point behind Wigan Athletic but have played four more matches.
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