Wanderers made to pay for missed chances

BOLTON Wanderers’ unbeaten run in League Two came to an end after suffering a 1-0 defeat on the road against Newport County.

The Trotters had won or drawn their last 14 games in League Two heading into the clash at Rodney Parade.

And they looked like they would add another match to that tally but were made to pay for not taking several chances against the Exiles.

Eoin Doyle struck the bar and midfielder Kieran Lee missed two brilliant chances in the first half, before Nicky Maynard scored what proved to be the decisive goal after the break.

But there was late drama in South Wales and Alex Baptiste’s injury time header was cleared off the line and a subsequent goalmouth scramble could not force an equaliser.

After the game, Wanderers boss Ian Evatt said: “There was a lot of drama. I’m frustrated really, the lads deserved to win the game. We should have been out of sight at half-time.

“I think that in front of goal and creativity, everything we spoke about since Friday, the lads took it onboard and we’ve created not just one or two, but three, four, five golden opportunities that we have to take and then we should be out of sight and then it should be game over.

“For whatever reason, the football gods weren’t smiling on us today because they’ve had a free kick which wasn’t handball and then a ricochet off Rico, no danger, deflects and then Gillo has to make a save.

“The rebound fell straight to their striker and it’s 1-0 and you’re chasing the game again. I’ve just said to them they can’t be too downbeat because that was a much better performance than Friday.

“We have to remember Newport have been in the top five or six all season and we’ve completely dominated, especially first half and should have been out of sight.”

“We can’t get too downbeat. “For everyone that thought we were just going to cruise over the line with no mishap or worry, it wasn’t ever going to be the case.

“It’s not the way football is and sometimes football teaches you harsh lessons.”