Daryl wipes Bolton debt
DARYL MURPHY paid off Bolton’s EFL debt in dramatic style deep into added time shortly after suffering penalty heartbreak.
It was a sickening first league game in charge for new MK Dons boss Russell Martin, whose 10-man team appeared to be clinging on to a hard earned point.
He had seen full-back George Williams sent off and keeper Lee Nicholls save Murphy’s 88th-minute spot-kick – only for 36-year-old striker Murphy to have the final say.
His namesake Luke Murphy weaved his way to the byline and when a low cross was delivered into the danger area this time veteran Murphy wasn’t going to waste a second opportunity, sweeping in from close range.
The final whistle saw wild scenes of celebration from Bolton’s players and bench in the knowledge that they had wiped out the 12 point deduction for going into administration at the end of last season.
They are under threat of losing more points this week when the EFL deliver their verdict on Bolton failing to fulfil two of their fixtures.
But for now they will enjoy being in positive territory with a single point.
Wanderers boss Keith Hill said: “It’s important. There is positive energy in the changing room. Because of the impact of getting into positive points there is a lot of jubilation.
“It could be significant, who knows? It makes everyone feel better especially with this now being our third win on the trot.”
For Martin it was a cruel start to League One life as the youngest boss in the EFL at the age of 33.
It all started to unravel when Williams was red carded in the 66th minute for pushing livewire Bolton substitute Thibaud Verlinden in the face.
He admitted: “I thought we were going to hang on for a point which we would have deserved. Even so I loved watching the boys playing in an aggressive way.”
He added: “On the sending off George (Williams) has apologised to the players. He has made a mistake.”
BOLTON MKDONS 7 ........ Shots on Target ......... 3 6 ........ Shots off Target .........8 12 ...............Corners .................4 16 ................. Fouls ....................9 0 ............... Offsides ................. 3 77.8 .. Passing Success ...68.5 423....... Total Passes ......... 317 54.9 .Territorial Adv % ... 45.1 57.7 ........Possession ........ 42.3