Evatt hails Collins as Wanderers march on
BOLTON Wanderers manager Ian Evatt praised his winter signing Aaron Collins, who has burst into form in April.
Following a hattrick netted against Reading on Easter Monday, Collins opened the scoring at his former club Bristol Rovers, with a 52nd-minute dinked finish showcasing the forward’s class.
Substitute Cameron Jerome won a penalty in the seventh minute of second half stoppage time to allow substitute Aaron Morley to wrap up the victory and put Wanderers just a point off the League One automatic promotion spots.
“We lacked fluidity but we didn’t lack courage, desire and bravery – and it was a moment of real quality from Aaron which was exactly why we brought him in. A cool, calm finish,” explained Evatt.
“To be composed to lift it over the goalkeeper at that stage of the game with so much on the line for us, was real quality and I’m pleased for him, with Cameron Jerome coming on in the final minutes to get us over the line.”
Bristol Rovers set a club record as they go to more than 560 minutes of playing time without scoring, shut out for a sixth game in a row, not having scored since March 2. Manager
Matt Taylor pointed to his side’s inexperience, with no wins in Rovers’ last six games.
“It was harsh but yet another lesson learned in terms of the moment of the goals is just too poor from us in understanding what is needed at that moment. It’s young players involved and we know they make mistakes but we’re learning the hard way at the moment,” said Taylor.
“I’ve got to be careful. That’s what happens when the inexperience factor is there. Too many times we’re defensively sound as a team and then suddenly we’re behind and chasing a game.”
Rovers had enjoyed their best spell of an even contest just before their nominated player of last season netted on a windy afternoon.
Connor Taylor was adjudged to have fouled Jerome, and Morley sealed the win by converting the resulting spot kick.
The Gas went close to scoring when Nathan Baxter clawed Chris Martin’s diving header from off his goal-line a minute after the restart.
Baxter also saved low at his near post to deny both Luke Thomas and Antony Evans in the first half.