Evatt’s fury as ref calls halt after racist abuse
IAN Evatt raged after alleged racist abuse – which paused the game for ten minutes – was directed at his players.
Referee Ross Joyce called proceedings to a halt with ten minutes to go, after Bolton supporters threw objects at Shrimps goalkeeper Adam Smith and Evatt reacted to comments allegedly made by home fans behind the dugouts.
Wanderers boss Evatt said: “I would have taken the players off myself if the referee hadn’t because if one of us gets abused we all get abused and we stand together.
“It’s disgusting and there is no place for it in football, or life in general, and we have to do the utmost to stamp it out and as an industry we have to come as one.’’
Bolton started the game on the front foot, with midfielder MJ Williams drilling a fierce effort over from the edge of the box and home skipper Anthony O’Connor forced to make three vital blocks.
Morecambe came into things and threatened through Jonay Ayunga, who twice drilled low efforts wide before prolific home striker Cole Stockton went close with two deflected shots.
After struggling against the wind,
Bolton left back Declan John forced a good save from Smith after a swift counter attack.
Bolton skipper Ricardo Santos was sent off in the 71st minute for a handball which led to a penalty, with Stockton’s effort well saved by James Trafford.
Two minutes later, Stockton did find the target, turning home Shane McLaughlin’s cross from close range after a quick break by Ayunga.
After the late pause, Bolton hit back with a cross from the left, finding substitute Amadou Bakayoko, who scored from close range to secure his side a point.
Morecambe manager Stephen Robinson said: “There are lots of accusations going about – and I’m sure the authorities will deal with it – but the stoppage didn’t help us because we were on top at that stage.
“We didn’t manage the game out and we got punished for bad decisions.
“I’m really frustrated because we should have won the game and picked up three important points, which we deserved. We played some really good stuff in horrendous conditions against an in-form side.’’