JORD BLIMEY

Gibson hits treble tops after missed pen

JORDAN GIBSON scored a first career hat-trick but manager Paul Simpson says Carlisle’s match-winner should have finished with four goals.

Gibson, who had never previously netted even a senior double, fired home a 44th-minute equalising penalty after Jon Mellish’s own goal put Bolton in front.

He added further goals in the 70th and 95th minutes as the Cumbrians secured a vital victory.

The visitors also missed a first-half penalty through Joe Garner after Kyle Dempsey’s foul on Sean Maguire, and Simpson said: “We had talked for weeks that Jordan Gibson is on penalties. But we didn’t talk before the game because I automatically thought Gibbo was on them.

“He got the ball but the next time I looked Joe was on it. I will never criticise players for missing pens, but stick with what the plan is. Fortunately, we got away with it.

“We have spoken for weeks about penalties we have not been getting but we got two today.

“We have said Jordan should be getting more goals. So, what an achievement to come to a place like Bolton and score a hat-trick.

“It was an outstanding performance. I am delighted we scored three goals, I am delighted with the football we played but that was built on a solid, team performance. It showed discipline to go and do the horrible side of the game, to chase and to tackle.

“We have had games with bits of that performance but that result we have been waiting for, especially with so many fans backing us.” Bolton, chasing a third successive league win, faded badly after Mellish’s own goal.

“We looked devoid of energy, devoid of ideas second half, we looked flat and we looked leggy,” said Wanderers boss Ian Evatt.

“We lacked zest and energy and those are the foundations everything else is built from.

“This was probably one game too far with the lack of options to rotate and freshen up.

“There were too many players under par. We get ahead but the two penalties were an absolute joke.

“I am sure neither were penalties but we had chances which we didn’t take. We huffed and we puffed but their second goal goes in via a deflection and then we make a crazy decision at the end with Nathan (Baxter) going up. That said, Nathan was outstanding in the game.”