Aaron Collins and substitute Cameron Jerome kept Bolton’s hopes of automatic promotion alive with second-half goals in a 2-0 win that sealed Port Vale’s relegation from League One.
Ian Evatt's side missed a succession of chances and hit the woodwork three times before Collins broke the deadlock after 72 minutes.
A rising right foot shot brought Collins' sixth goal in five games and his eighth since joining the Trotters in January. Veteran Jerome added a second in stoppage time.
Bolton must beat play-off rivals Peterborough on the final day of the season and hope Derby slip up against relegated Carlisle, with a favourable goal swing, to stand a chance of going up.
In contrast, Vale will return to the fourth tier, two years after gaining promotion.
Darren Moore's side won only 10 of their 45 games, achieving five of those victories in the first six weeks of the season.
For manager Moore, Vale's demotion comes just over a year since he guided Sheffield Wednesday into the Championship with a play-off final success against Barnsley.
More: We wil rebuild in League Two
Port Vale boss Darren Moore:
"It's a sad day. You can hear a pin drop in the dressing room. The mood is down and sombre.
"The biggest thing is to galvanise and get together to start the rebuilding for next season. But I am here for the rebuild. I am energised.
"It is fantastic club with wonderful owners and a wonderful fan base. We have lots of ideas going forward and I look forward to getting that plan into action. But it is a big rebuild, let's not kid ourselves.
"Structurally, we have got to get it right first and then it will be implemented on the pitch.
"We have to get a team together to cope with the demands of that league (League Two) and be pushing on to get this club back to this league and beyond."