Bolton Wanderers manager Ian Evatt has revealed his frustration with Shrewsbury Town‘s time-wasting after his side twice fought back to earn a point at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
The Trotters began the night four points behind Derby County in the race for automatic promotion from League One. It was an opportunity to close the gap to just a single point and they went into the tie as heavy favourites against a team still battling for survival.
The Shrews had failed to read the script and took the lead through Dan Udoh in the 21st minute. Bolton responded through Cameron Jerome five minutes before half time. The visitors restored their leave shortly after though, when a corner routine reminiscent of Manchester United’s Beckham-Scholes combination of the 90s was struck home by Jordan Shipley.
Evatt’s side dominated possession in the second half as they looked to overturn the deficit. With nerves beginning to kick in around the stadium, Paris Maghoma made it 2-2 with just under 20 minutes to play. However, the hosts were unable to find a winner as Salop frustrated their opponents.
Following the game, the manager was in a despondent mood and criticised the officials for failing to add on enough time for Shrewsbury’s time-wasting throughout the second half:
“I am so frustrated – I give up, you just can’t win,” the 42-year-old told Bolton News. “From where we were at the start of the season to where we are now is night and day. And that is just not right or correct.
“I was told four minutes for the substitutes, one for the time-wasting. If that was one minute, then I give up. They were even doing it during time added on, we had the ball on the edge of their box and as soon as the five minutes were up, he blows the whistle.
“It is such a frustration, but I feel like I am banging my head against a brick wall.”
It was a result which left Bolton three points behind Derby with two games left to play. Although a top two finish is still possible, it would require a significant shift. As such, Evatt has conceded defeat in the race:
“It is frustrating, disappointing, but we have to take this next two games now to get everyone ready. We need the ones who are struggling with injuries – Ricardo Santos, Gethin Jones, Josh Sheehan – we need them at full speed. We need to get Dion (Charles) some game time because he looked a little rusty out there, which is understandable. With Jon’s (Dadi Bodvarsson) injury, we will need him.
“The plan now is to win the next two and get ready for the play-off campaign.”
Port Vale are the next visitors to the Toughsheet Community Stadium on Saturday before the Trotters travel to Peterborough United on the final day of the season.
Writer’s View
This was a huge missed opportunity for Bolton and one which could cost them promotion. Derby now hold a three point advantage and a superior goal difference and it would take a dramatic downturn in form to see them fall at the final hurdle.
Supporters will be growing increasingly nervous, especially after tasting play-off heartbreak last season when they lost in the semi-finals against Barnsley. Ironically, the two teams could meet at the same stage this time around. Evatt will now be desperate to secure back-to-back wins to give his side some momentum heading into the end-of-season lottery.
