Bolton Wanderers and Carlisle United played out a six goal thriller in a 'bizarre' game at Brunton Park where neither side ought to be happy with the 'horrendous' defending on show.
That's the views of EFL pundits Ali Maxwell and Clinton Morrison.
The Cumbrians took an early lead through Aaron Hayden before Lewis Alessandra doubled their advantage before seven minutes.
Omari Patrick added a third while George Thomason grabbed one back for Bolton before the break.
In rainy and windy conditions in Cumbria, the Trotters added their second towards the end through Nathan Delfouneso, before Peter Kioso nodded home a dramatic late leveller before the break to ensure the spoils would be shared after six goals.
Wanderers later ended the encounter with 10 men after Kioso was shown a second yellow card in stoppage time.
There was even later drama when Thomason and Jon Mellish both struck the woodwork at either end of the pitch as each side came close to a late winner.
Speaking on the EFL highlights show on Quest, pundit Maxwell felt Wanderers trio Kioso, Thomason and Antoni Sarcevic caught the eye during the comeback.
But he and fellow pundit Morrison were in agreement that the defending for all six goals needed to be better from both teams.
He said: “This was a bizarre game wasn’t it. 3-0 up Carlisle, barely having broken a sweat, a lot of set piece goals which they’ve become very adept at, it’s fair to say.
"But fair play to Bolton and Ian Evatt because they came roaring back in the second half. Thomason and Kioso were especially impressive and Sarcevic as well who is always at the heart of everything good for Bolton.
"I think, and I know Clinton thinks, the defending for basically all six goals was so horrendous that no-one should be happy about this."
Morrison added regarding the defending: “Yeah it should be better.”
Both teams remain in the positions they started Boxing Day in, with Wanderers 15th and Carlisle third.
