Trotters keep faith in Christian
CHRISTIAN Doidge’s first goal for Bolton earned a draw at Rotherham in a game where the visitors were outplayed.
Wanderers were second best and looked like going down to Will Vaulks’ second-half freekick – but Doidge stepped up in the 85th minute to open his account against the club that tried to sign him last summer.
It was a point that Phil Parkinson’s men, who missed an earlier penalty, barely deserved as Rotherham dominated and had enough chances to have put the game to bed.
Vaulks’ strike put them ahead in the 56th minute, but Michael Smith hit a post and missed other key chances, while Ryan Williams put a free header wide.
It means Paul Warne’s men have now gone six games without a win, although they are undefeated in five at home.
The Millers meant business from the off, creating chances in the opening 15 minutes. Semi Ajayi headed a second-minute corner just wide and Smith, without a goal since the second game of the season, drilled an effort over before heading Jon Taylor’s cross straight at Ben Alnwick.
The home domination continued and after Taylor had an effort deflected on to the near post, Kyle Vassell had the chance of the half – but he could not connect properly with a free header.
Rotherham should have paid for their wastefulness early into the second half after Richard Wood clumsily fouled Josh Magennis, but keeper Rodak produced a brilliant save to keep out Magennis’ penalty.
Soon after, the Millers got their goal their first-half play had deserved and it was a cracker as Vaulks blasted a low 25-yard free-kick into the bottom corner. They had further chances to extend their lead, but Smith shot at Alnwick and Williams headed wide from a good position.
The failure to increase their lead proved costly five minutes from the end.
Joe Mattock allowed a long ball to bounce, Clayton Donaldson took advantage by playing in Doidge, who crashed home from the edge of the area for his first goal since joining from Forest Green.
Warne said: “I’m disappointed not to win, even more so because their goal was so late on.”
The Millers could easily have been awarded a penalty of their own in the second half after Ryan Manning looked to be tripped, but referee John Brooks opted to book the midfielder for diving.
“I honestly think there is contact, I have watched it back eight times,” Warne said. “The ref has obviously seen it from a different angle and has booked him for simulation. In the speed of the game sometimes people might get it wrong.”
Parkinson felt it could have been a different game had Magennis scored his penalty.
“It was a great save and it gave them a great lift. They went on to dominate.
“You have got to give our lads credit, 1-0 down to respond in the way we did. We wanted three points but we will definitely take a point.”