ROWE BLOW BUT EVATT SO POSITIVE
IAN EVATT insisted that Bolton will be in the “promotion mix” come the end of the season – despite conceding a late equaliser at Bradford.
Nathan Delfouneso put Bolton ahead eight minutes from time following a strong spell of pressure, before Bradford substitute Danny Rowe rescued a point in the third minute of injury-time.
But Evatt was adamant his side, who had won six in succession heading into this game, were still on course for a successful season.
“We were outstanding. It is the best we have played in this run and we should have been out of sight,” he said.
“We deserved to win the game. It was great to watch against a team that are also flying.
“We were magnificent and if we play like that for the past 13 games we will be in there – that is the promotion mix.”
Chances were few in a goalless first half with neither keeper having a serious save to make.
There was a moment of danger for Bradford 16 minutes in when Lloyd Isgrove just failed to connect with Dapo Afolayan’s low cross from the left.
Then, a minute later, Callum Cooke created an opening for striker Andy Cook, who fired over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area.
The first serious scoring effort by either side came eight minutes after the break when Declan John worked his way into the Bradford penalty area, before lipping the ball into the path of Afolayan, whose fierce goal bound shot was turned away for a corner by Sam Hornby.
The Bradford defence was then at full stretch as they survived a torrid spell of pressure.
Afolayan saw his volley blocked, before Hornby saved a long-range effort from Ricardo Santos.
But Delfouneso did give Bolton the lead in the 82nd minute from close range after former Bradford striker
Eoin Doyle had an effort blocked.
There was still time though for Bradford to snatch a point and they did so when Levi Sutton returned the ball into the danger area and Rowe scored with a superb left foot drive into the far corner.
Joint Bradford manager Mark Trueman praised the character of his players for fighting back to earn a draw. “We showed that fight and desire and we had to show our character to come back and get a point against a good team,” he said.
“Both sides nullified each other for long periods. Their full backs played so far forward so we thought we could hit them on the counter, but we didn’t have those moments of quality.
“It was important for both teams to keep the unbeaten run going. I was delighted with the point and we can look to build on that.”