JULIAN Darby reflected on a fairy-tale victory in his first game in interim charge of Wanderers and added: “I need some sleep!”

Bolton fan man and boy, Darby celebrated three points in front of a sold-out travelling support at Huddersfield clutching his 22-month-old grandson Bobby.

Aaron Collins’ 55th minute strike proved the difference as a reinvigorated Wanderers side inflicted a first league defeat on Huddersfield since October.

And it was no less than the Whites deserved on a day where their resolute defending and organisation shone through as brightly as the winter sun above the away stand.

Asked how it felt, a delighted Darby said: “That might be it for me, I'll take a 100 per cent record. Listen, I've got to say thanks to the players and all the staff, everyone has been fantastic. I thought the game plan today worked a treat, fair play to the staff.

“I mean, we've looked at God knows how many videos of Huddersfield. For them to come off a run of 16 games unbeaten and where they're fourth in the league, I just hope they'll take a lot of confidence from that because I thought we deserved it. I wouldn't have been surprised if we scored another one towards the end.”

After the final whistle Darby ran to the touchline to grab his grandson from his parents sitting in the hospitality area, taking him over to the away end to celebrate with the players.

“I hope he'll be wearing that white shirt for a few years now,” he said after the final whistle.

“These things are great memories. You don't forget when something like that happens. You might as well milk it for what you can get The fans were brilliant, I can't thank them enough as well.

“Listen, the number of messages of good luck which said it doesn't matter what happened today, just go and enjoy it. It doesn't matter how you go on. Well, I'll flipping take that and a victory as well, three points.

“I couldn't have asked for any better really.”

After the departure of Ian Evatt on Wednesday, this was the first time since March 2020 in which he was not on the touchline for a competitive game.

Wanderers will continue their manager search this week, with Darby, Andy Tutte and Andy Taylor set to oversee the visit of Northampton Town on Tuesday.

And Darby was quick to deflect the praise on what has been a week of significant change at the club.

“I think a lot of credit has got to be given to Ian Evatt and his staff because the lads were devastated really that that happened.

“There's been a lot of negativity about the club, especially since probably Wembley last year, it's been hard to shake that off.

“So, it's great for the players, all of a sudden, they're in the dressing room, singing away. So, great for them, great for all the staff as well who have been through the wringer a little bit. But, probably more important, the fans.”

Looking ahead to Tuesday night and the prospect of doing it all again, he added: “Oh my God, there's another game on Tuesday?

“That's another, hang on, that's another three days of no sleep. I need sleep, I can't do this!

“Since we went in on Wednesday to watch the takeover, oh my God, it's just, I've not slept a bloody wink. So, I need sleep somehow, I don't know. I don't know about it.

“It won't happen today because the adrenaline is running. I think I might have a bit of a crash later on. But, absolutely delighted for the whole club really as well.”