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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
John McDougall

Bolton Wanderers player ratings & match report vs Oxford United - Dion Charles good in loss

Bolton Wanderers suffered defeat at home against Oxford United but the Whites remain in the League One play-off places.

The visitors took the lead in the first half when Djavan Anderson finished from close range after Wanderers failed to clear. James Trafford stopped it being two with a point blank save from Elliott Moore's header.

Josh Sheehan nearly levelled before the break but Simon Eastwood's smart reflexes kept him out. After the interval, Ciaron Brown added the visitors' second to put them in the driving seat.

READ MORE: Bolton Wanderers 1-3 Oxford LIVE: Ian Evatt's reaction after home League One loss

But Wanderers were handed hope when Dion Charles slotted home to reduce the deficit. However, that hope proved short lived as Steve Seddon got the last touch from a corner to score Oxford's third and which ultimately sealed three points for the visitors.

Here's how we rated the players in the loss.

James Trafford - 6

Denied Elliott Moore with a superb point blank stop in the first half. Beaten by pace with second goal, but looked crowded out for third Oxford strike.

Gethin Jones - 5.5

Poor defensively for opening goal and could not stop Kyle Joseph's delivery. Some threatening crosses at times when getting forward.

Ricardo Santos - 6

Generally kept Gatlin O'Donkor quiet through much of the encounter. Potentially could have got out sooner to charge down for second goal. Booked for dissent in second half.

George Johnston - 6

Returned to defence after being unused substitute in midweek. Tried to play out where possible.

Conor Bradley - 6.5

Put in the odd decent cross from the right flank. Beaten too easily for Oxford's second goal, but great vision showed for Charles goal.

MJ Williams - 5

Returned to starting team after, like Johnston, was an unused substitute in midweek. Booked early on in encounter and was taken off midway through second half.

Josh Sheehan - 6

Handed first League One start since mid-November last year. Nearly brought Wanderers level before break but was taken off before the hour mark.

Jack Iredale - 5.5

Moved over to left wing-back role, but didn't make much impact on game. Did not emerge back after half-time.

Kieran Lee - 6

Nice touches at times from exprienced midfielder, but few opportunties created. Replaced midway through second half.

Elias Kachunga - 5

Some solid hold up play at times, but caught offside on a few occasions too and no chances to speak of really. Taken off before the hour.

Dion Charles - 7

Hard work upfront and looped rebound header over after Sheehan's effort saved. Clinical with second half chance to end personal goal drought.

Substitutes:

Dapo Afolayan - 6

Replaced Iredale at the break and went to the left flank.

Kyle Dempsey - 6.5

Looked lively when coming on.

Jon Dadi Bodvarsson - 6

Failed to connect with great opportunity not long after coming on.

Aaron Morley - 6.5

Great cross which nearly led to Bolton going ahead.

Kieran Sadlier - 6.5

Added some speed to Bolton's play after coming off the bench.

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