Hill lauds Dodoo’s unlikely equaliser

KEITH HILL described Bolton’s comeback draw with AFC Wimbledon as a “magnificent achievement”.

Exactly 100 days after being appointed Wanderers’ manager, Hill asked fans for patience and understanding of the team and the club’s situation.

Joe Dodoo’s first goal for the club in the fifth minute of stoppage time rescued a point after Finnish U21 striker Marcus Forss twice put the Dons in front; the second occasion just nine minutes from time.

“The players’ courage and fighting spirit is still there, but we are not by magic going to win League One,” said Hill.

“People have got to embrace this new era and understand where we are.

“We are here to build a future and to get a point from this was a magnificent achievement.

“Historically, we are a bigger club than AFC Wimbledon. But in respect of building blocks they are a million miles in front of us.”

Finnish striker Forss hadn’t scored since a hat-trick at Southend on October 12. But the on-loan Brentford marksman re-discovered his touch with goals after 41 and 81 minutes. In between, Daryl Murphy’s fifth goal of the campaign after 56 minutes earned parity for Hill’s side.

However, when Forss fired in left-footed after keeper Remi Matthews kept out the same player’s header, the three points appeared secure.

Instead, Wimbledon’s fragility from crosses was highlighted with the home side’s dramatic winner.

Substitute Thomas Verlinden crossed into the six-yard box and Dodoo netted to earn Bolton an unlikely point.

AFC boss Glyn Hodges was delighted by the return to form of top scorer Forss, but claimed Dodoo’s equaliser came after four minutes of added-on time had elapsed.

“He is sharp and had his shooting boots back on again,” said Hodges.

“He is one of the best finishers I have ever seen.”

However, Hodges was less enamoured by the Dons’ failure to see out the game.

“Bolton are a decent side, have some experience and asked questions second half,” he added. “But to equalise after the game had finished was disappointing. I thought the four minutes were up.”