Bolton Wanderers got their League One campaign off to a start with a dramatic late draw against MK Dons.
In front of more than 16,000 fans at the University of Bolton Stadium, Mo Eisa put the visitors ahead midway through the first half, but Wanderers went in level at half-time thanks to Josh Sheehan's brilliant free kick.
Bolton went ahead after the break thanks to Amadou Bakayoko, but Scott Twine leveled with a free kick of his own shortly after, before substitute Hiram Boateng appeared to have taken all three points for the Dons.
But Wanderers grabbed a deserved point when new signing Elias Kachunga kept the ball alive for Alex Baptiste to fire home from close range.
After the game, Wanderers boss Ian Evatt spoke to the press and here's his immediate reaction.
What’s your assessment?
“Positive and there’s lots of positives. I thought we should have won the game and I think there’s no two ways about that. They’re a good team and the way they move the ball and how they rotate and play from the back takes intelligence from our players, when to step in, when to jump, when to press.
"I thought we got that balance spot on. They’re good players so at times, they are going to break that, but we created a lot of opportunities where we’d nicked the ball in the final third and then we just didn’t really capitalise.
“We went behind, I didn’t think we deserved to be behind and it was a bad goal to concede and then got ourselves back in it with a brilliant free kick from Josh and then after that, I thought we took over.
"At the start of the second half, we dominated, we got the goal and then they looked a bit flat to be honest and like they were feeling a bit sorry for themselves. Then there was a free kick and a moment of quality then equalised and it was them that had the impetus and we looked a bit sorry for ourselves.
"They went ahead with another really poor goal to concede and then the lads showed great character to come back. It was some game.”
Are you really disappointed to draw after scoring three goals at home?
“We should win the game, there’s no two ways about that. I thought we played with intelligence, we played with character, courage, bravery and when you score three goals at home, you have to win.
"We conceded three soft goals to say the least, but other than that, the courage and character that they showed was great and I hope our fans, who created an unbelievable atmosphere I must say, go home relatively happy with what they’ve seen because they can see what we’re trying to do.
"We play attacking entertaining football and I don’t think anybody in the stadium will not be entertained by that.”
On the fans and the atmosphere that was created today?
“It was unbelievable. This game is nothing without its support. We know that and it just feels like real football again, proper football. Edge of your seats, winning, losing, all the emotions that football can give you.
"Our fans have gone through the mill today but one thing is I’m sure they’ve all been entertained and strip everything back, this is an entertainment business and you have to be entertained when you pay your hard earned money to come and watch football and I think we’ve entertained people today.”
Your latest signing, Elias Kachunga, came on and was involved in the build-up for the third goal which was scored by Alex Baptiste, who does not get many!
“No, but I think in that moment and in that instance, the composure to find a pass and to pick a pass out and that’s what quality players give you and Kacha showed that.
"He’s not had a pre-season, we’re rushing him through a little bit but he showed today that he’s got some real quality.”
You’ve got another game on Tuesday in the Carabao Cup and then Wimbledon next week - is your mind already on that?
“Yeah absolutely and we’ve got all of a sudden when everyone’s back and fit and available, we’ve got a really strong squad and we’ll have a look at Tuesday and then Saturday.
"At this stage of the season with what we’ve been through, a bit of a disrupted pre-season, we’re going to have to rotate and use people but I trust everybody and whoever we put out will be competitive.”
