Josh Sheehan insists three points was the most important thing for Bolton Wanderers as they returned to winning ways in League One against Crewe Alex.
After a goalless first half at the University of Bolton Stadium, Wanderers broke the deadlock when Amadou Bakayoko was brought down in the box.
Josh Sheehan stepped up to coolly slot home from the penalty spot and give the hosts the advantage.
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And Bakayoko grabbed Bolton's second goal shortly after, stabbing home from Elias Kachunga's low cross to ensure the hosts claimed their first win in the division since the start of October and climb to 10th in the league with a 2-0 victory.
It was the first win in six matches in the division and after their recent run of form in the division, Sheehan insisted three points rather than the performance was the most important thing.
The midfielder said: “It was one of those games where maybe the performance didn’t matter as much, it was just about getting three points.
"After the month we had last month, the confidence isn’t going to be high as a team but we have started this one better and we need to get back to what we were doing at the start of the season now. Hopefully that will kick-start us in the league.
“We knew they were coming here to do that (to frustrate). They would have been happy with a point.
“If we could get that first goal, we knew we were getting another one, as you saw.
“It got a bit nervy in the first half probably because of the last month. It can build up with the players and sometimes the fans can get annoyed and wound up if things are not going how you want them. We believe in ourselves, so getting that first goal and not conceding anything really sets us up.
“Especially in the first half when we were playing a two and a one, their two strikers were dropping in on me and MJ so it was more difficult, the space was around the outside.
“So when the ball came into us we had to move it as quickly as we could to those wider positions because it was the best way of getting around them, get crosses into the box.
“They made it difficult for us but as soon as we scored that first goal, it was all we needed.
“In the past we have conceded early and it changes the whole complexion of the game.
“It was nice to get in at 0-0 because we knew that the way we play, they would tire towards the end of the game and we’d have a good chance of winning."
Bakayoko won the penalty but it was the midfielder that took the spot kick ahead of the attacker.
The duo spoke about the decision in the changing room and that Bakayoko did not argue with the decision.
Sheehan is back in action after sitting out the FA Cup draw against Stockport County last weekend and believes that the past few games, allied to the Crewe result, must act as a catalyst in their League One campaign.
He said: “We spoke in the changing room – it was what it was.
“As Baka went to get it and him and Dapo were having a chat, the gaffer shouted on for me to take it. Baka didn’t argue, he just gave it to me, and I was confident taking it.
“It was just a sore lower back. It happened before the Rochdale game but I played that, and then the day after it was bad, I couldn’t move too well. I couldn’t be in the squad on Sunday to help the boys but it’s fine now.
“The Rochdale win got the spirits up, we should have won against Stockport, but we’ll move on and take the replay Wednesday. In the league that has to move us on, now. Let’s get playing like we were at the start of the season and moving up the league."
