Bolton Wanderers were made to rue missed chances as they slipped to defeat on the road to Accrington Stanley.
Wanderers could have gone ahead on several occasions in the first half but opportunites for Eoin Doyle, Kieran Lee, Dapo Afolayan and Adam Senior were not taken.
The hosts scored what proved to be the only goal of the game when Tommy Leigh nodded over Joel Dixon to give the Wham Stadium the advantage which they kept.
READ MORE: Bolton Wanderers player ratings vs Accrington Stanley - MJ Williams good in loss on the road
It ensured the second loss in the space of five days on the road for Bolton and means they now sit 15th in League One.
After the game, Wanderers boss Ian Evatt spoke to the press and here's his immediate reaction.
What went wrong?
“We should have scored three first half at least, and we conceded a really poor goal. The lads have given everything again. We’re missing six I would argue that would start the game and sometimes we have that drop off, but I can’t ask any more, especially from the young players.
"Adam Senior was outstanding I thought. George Thomason was standing up to be counted and they don’t deserve the abuse that they’re getting at the end. They don’t. They’re trying their best, they’re doing their best they can for this football club. They’re young players so I hope they’re not scarred by that.
"They need to keep positive. This is going to be a tough time for everybody but today was better than Tuesday, just not the result we wanted.”
Are you scarred by six games away from home without a goal - that’s a club record equaled?
“I’d be worried more if we didn’t create any chances. We had some glorious chances and we have to take them but that can be said for many games away from home especially. That’s something we need to improve on, no doubt.”
You’ve talked about January - I guess it can’t come soon enough?
“I’m just repeating myself to what I’ve said to you over the last three or four weeks. I told you this is going to be tough, this is going to be turbulent, we’re going to take a lot of criticism, some of it just, some of it not so.
"But we have to keep fighting, keep positive, these boys are trying their very best, the ones that are available and players are coming back all the time. Things will change.”
Is this the most awkward part of your career as Bolton manager?
“People have got very short memories is what I’ll say because this time last year, we were beat 6-3 to Port Vale, we were 20th in League Two, and we’re probably fortunate, and I said this last season, that they weren’t in there at that time, because if we’re going to get abused like that and criticised like that which is sometimes just, sometimes not so, then it would have made things difficult for us.”
Is it just at the moment?
“Yes and no. We’re not happy with where we are, we’re not happy with the results, we’re not happy with some performances, but as I said, our hands are tied. We are limited with options.
"These lads that are having to play wouldn’t necessarily have thought they would have been starting games in League One for us this season. Some of them need time development wise, some of them have been thrust in.
"We have a huge expectancy at this club and it’s a big football club with mostly fantastic support I’ve got to say, but at the minute we just need to take on the criticism from the few and keep our heads, keep our composure, keep fighting and show that we’re worth it. We showed it last season, we’ll show it again this season.”
