Bolton Wanderers came from behind late on to claim a point against Bristol Rovers in a 1-1 draw.
The Gas stunned the hosts inside two minutes when Anthony Evans' low cross was finished off from close range by Josh Coburn as the visitors went in front. It was a lead they preserved at the break, as Dapo Afolayan fired over the bar from distance and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson saw a low shot saved.
After the break, Charles went close to equalising off the bench as he nearly connected with Afolayan's dangerous cross. Charles forced James Belshaw into action after capitalising on James Connolly's error.
READ MORE: Bolton Wanderers player ratings vs Bristol Rovers - MJ Williams, Conor Bradley & Eoin Toal good
The visitors were resilient in defence and kept Wanderers at bay for much of the game. But the hosts deservedly drew level when Charles curled home a beauty from inside a crowded box to ensure the spoils were shared.
After the game, Wanderers boss Ian Evatt spoke and here's his immediate reaction to the game.
What’s your assessment?
“We deserved to win the game. There was so much right about that performance. I’ve never known a spell of games where we’re so dominant and creating so much and chances are just not going in.
“I think they had two shots in the whole game, one on target which was the goal in the first minute, we had 19 and five on target and we’ve had some big, big moments and big, big chances. We’re just not taking them and we’re not showing the composure required in the final third to make the correct decision.
“But there’s so much to like about the performance, the players never know when they’re beat, they keep going despite chaos and disruption all around them, they kept their focus and discipline and kept on going and deservedly got something out of the game. It would have been a travesty for us not to get something out of it and I don’t think anybody could argue with that.
“If you look around the results in the league, it’s probably a slight missed opportunity to close the gap but these results happen. Ipswich have drawn at home to Fleetwood, Plymouth have lost at home to Port Vale so it’s a tough league and you have to keep raising your game to find results. Points are difficult to come by.
“Everyone knows we should have won the game tonight, it was disappointing, especially the way we’re starting games at the moment and we maybe have to look at something to disrupt and change how we start games, but there’s so much to like about what we’re doing at the moment. It’s just a real frustration and probably the final 10 to 15 per cent that we’re lacking.”
It was great to see Dion back on the scoresheet with a great finish?
“I am delighted for him because he had a big chance just before that and a header he really should be doing better with but he is a player we really believe in.
“Sometimes when things are not going your way then you have to come out of the side, regroup and reset, and he did that well. His attitude was spot on, he was supportive and he came on to score a goal."
You had two enforced subs with George Thomason and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, how are they doing?
“George has a worrying looking knee injury, we don’t know the extent yet. It doesn’t look great.
“We will get it scanned and see where we are with him over the next couple of days.
“Jon is just a concussion, a smash on the nose which is very sore. There is a bit of dizziness."
Was Rico Santos a late call to leave out?
“That has rocked us all. Rico was hospitalised yesterday with a really bad viral infection and some pneumonia as well. He has had a really difficult time with breathing.
“It happened so quickly that is rocked us all and worried us.
“He is our captain and our leader and we miss him immensely but we will rally around him, rally around his wonderful family and do everything we can to make sure he makes a speedy recovery."
Don't miss a thing from the club you love! For all the latest updates on Wanderers, sign up to our free newsletter packed with all the latest news here.
READ NEXT:
-
Bolton Wanderers Kyle Dempsey injury extent revealed as update given ahead of Bristol Rovers
-
Phil Parkinson discusses Gary O'Neil's Bolton Wanderers spell after Bournemouth manager decision
-
Aaron Morley opens up on spell out of Bolton Wanderers team & how he has approached recall
-
Ian Evatt sheds light on why Bolton are late goal kings ahead of Manchester City & Liverpool
-
Joey Barton's Bristol Rovers claim, Bolton parallels & 'chasing' Okocha on Manchester City debut
