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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
John McDougall

Bolton Wanderers player ratings vs Fleetwood Town - Dapo Afolayan, Kieran Sadlier & Conor Bradley great

Bolton Wanderers came from behind to claim a dramatic three points thanks to late goals from Conor Bradley and Dapo Afolayan.

Owen Beck, making his first League One start, saw a great opportunity go wide early doors. Despite looking the better side early on, Wanderers went behind as a Carlos Mendes Gomes strike from outside the box went into the top corner past James Trafford.

It proved to be the two crucial moments of the first half, as Wanderers failed to take their opportunity when it came and the Cod Army took theirs. Despite plenty of promising play, the Whites went in 1-0 down at the break.

READ MORE: Fleetwood Town 1-2 Bolton Wanderers LIVE: Ian Evatt's reaction after late Dapo Afolayan winner

After half-time, Charles fired an effort over and Shaun Rooney was booked after Beck went down clutching his face, which was followed by both sets of players having to be separated. A flurry of chances followed for the Whites, including for Charles near the six yard box as he could not connect with a cross, while Afolayan's low cross from a yard out would have been a goal if anyone had got a touch on it.

But Bradley struck five minutes from the end to finish off Kieran Sadlier's great work on the left flank, the former Rotherham United man putting in a low effort to the back post for the Liverpool loanee to fire home. And Afolayan fired home late on from Josh Sheehan's cross to seal the three points and spark jubilant scenes in the away end.

Here's how we rated the Wanderers players in the win.

James Trafford - 6.5

Left with little chance to stop Carlos Mendes Gomes' sublime opening goal. Did not have much to deal with after the break

Gethin Jones - 7

Lacked impact going forward in the first half, but much better after the break, combining with Bradley much more and caused the hosts problems on that flank.

Ricardo Santos - 7.5

Was largely solid in the middle of the back three for Wanderers, with a much better game than the previous fixture 12 months ago.

George Johnston - 7

Was in the wars throughout the game but stood up to most things the Cod Army attack could throw at him.

Conor Bradley - 7.5

Perhaps could have done better to stop cross which led to opening goal. Caused problems down the right hand side and was booked in second half, but got Wanderers back on level terms with close range finish.

Aaron Morley - 7

Some decent moments on the ball in the first half with his distribution. Booked for dissent just before half-time.

George Thomason - 7

Replaced the suspended Kyle Dempsey in central midfield. Plenty of energy and endeavour in the middle of the park.

Owen Beck - 6.5

Liverpool loanee handed first League One start. Missed glorious early chance as he fired wide from rebound. Struggled at times defensively, but grew in influence and confidence in the second half, before being taken off.

Elias Kachunga - 5

Decent pressing and hold-up play at times from former Huddersfield Town man in first half. Influence declined after the break and was taken off before the end.

Dapo Afolayan - 8

Last season's top scorer back in the starting XI. Looked the one most likely to create something for Bolton on the day and should have had assist from low cross a yard out which nobody connected with.

Dion Charles - 4

Worked hard as usual upfront, but failed to take the chances which did come to him and toiled up against Fleetwood defence. Just not happening for him in front of goal right now.

Substitutes:

Jon Dadi Bodvarsson - 6.5

Played part in equalising goal with hold-up play in the box.

Kieran Sadlier - 7.5

Added quality from the bench, particularly with his crossing ability and delivered great low effort which Bradley slotted home. Made the difference off the bench.

Josh Sheehan - 7

Like Sadlier, added quality off the bench and put in ball for dramatic late winner.

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