Gethin Jones believes Bolton Wanderers displayed their never say die attitude once again as they came from behind to claim a share of the spoils against Bristol Rovers.
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.
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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 in a 1-1 draw.
Wanderers have come from behind on several occasions in recent weeks. These have included victories against Fleetwood Town, Burton Albion and Accrington Stanley.
Jones sees a pattern emerging with the Whites but believes they have shown once again their attitude in coming from behind. He also addressed the Wanderers approach to trying to understand why they appear to struggle at times in the opening stages of matches.
He said: “It is the same thing over and over again. We are disappointed with the way we started, conceding that early goal, but it has been like that for the last few games.
“This side has a never say die attitude, we go right to the end. And I think you can tell with the fans that they believe in us now. Even in that last five minutes they were right behind us and we had a few chances before Dion finally put one away. He needed that.
“We had a few after that too which didn’t go in, so I am quite disappointed but we always say if we don’t win, make sure we don’t lose.
“We had a chat in the changing room about why that first five to 10 minutes can be quite difficult for us. And maybe it is how we approach games.
“We have honestly looked at everything, from what music we play in the dressing room, whether it is upbeat enough and gets us going?
“We will carry on looking at things, approach it as a team, look at what we can do better.
“We missed chances in the first half – they had two shots and one of them is a goal.
“We felt like we dominated the game but I do think sometimes we need to be calmer around the penalty box.
“Lads are shooting when they should pass, passing when they should shoot, and we do loads of work in training on things like that – chaotic situations that are meant to help you relax in front of goal. But it is obviously something we need to work on every day to get over it and get better at it."
Wanderers have been left counting the cost of the point. George Thomason went off in the first half with a knee injury, while striker Jon Dadi Bodvarsson made way after the break with suspected concussion and a bleeding nose.
Having played under Joey Barton at previous club Fleetwood Town, Jones knows it was always going to be a tough and bruising encounter. But he believes the Whites showed they do not give up in the face of adversity.
He added: “A few of the lads have got bumps and bruises and we knew it was going to be that type of game. I know Joey Barton and how he wants to play. I know a few of their lads as well – it was always going to be a tough, battling night.
“George looks like he has done something to his knee. Jon was sat there at the end in the changing room with a big, fat nose on him, still bleeding. It was tough but we don’t give up."
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