Eoin Toal was glad to get a full 90 minutes under his belt for Bolton Wanderers in the 3-2 win over Barrow after admitting frustration at the start of his Whites career.
The Whites took the lead when Dapo Afolayan slotted home from a lovely ball from MJ Williams. They doubled their advantage soon after that when Kieran Sadlier put in a low cross for Jon Dadi Bodvarsson to tuck home.
But the visitors were handed a way back into the game when Joel Dixon could not hold onto Ben Whitfield's shot and Josh Kay eventually turned home. It gave the visitors a route back into the encounter.
READ MORE: Bolton Wanderers player ratings vs Barrow - Dapo Afolayan and Elias Kachunga good in victory
After the break, the visitors levelled as Niall Canavan nodded home from close range after Josh Gordon flicked on from a corner. However, the Whites went back ahead as Elias Kachunga slotted home after Afolayan's shot came off the post.
Despite late pressure from the Bluebirds, Wanderers hung on to book their place in the last 16 with a 3-2 victory . The game was Toal's third Bolton appearance and his first 90 minutes for the club.
The summer signing from Derry City has had a slow start to life at Bolton, with injuries playing a part and getting up to speed at the Whites following his move from the League of Ireland. But the central defender has been working hard to make an impact and was pleased with the win over the Bluebirds.
He said: “It was good to get the win. We probably could have done better in the second half but I think overall we deserved it.
“We showed a bit of character. It should have been 2-0 at half time because their goal was a blatant foul on Dapo. We came out for the second half and conceded the second from a corner but we fought back, got a goal, had another one disallowed. We stayed positive.
“It was good to get 90 minutes. I had an injury when I got here, as you know, and picked up another little quad injury. But it was great to get some time under my belt.
“It had been frustrating because I’d played 25 games in a season that goes from February to November, came here in August, having to stop for three or four weeks was tough and it has just been about trying to get back in.
“The defenders have been brilliant since I came here, there is high competition for places, but all I can do is work hard.
“I have had to from the start, it is a different kind of system that the manager wants us to play, and I think it’s brilliant. I have just been trying to do my best, played a few B Team games and tried to set an example there, and trying to learn a bit from the coaches and the other defenders."
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:
-
'Cut him some slack' - Ian Evatt issues Elias Kachunga verdict after Bolton Wanderers winner
-
Bolton boss Ian Evatt on Barrow win, verdict on visitors goals and Kyle Dempsey injury update
-
Bolton boss Ian Evatt on facing old club Barrow, League One break plans & play-off state of play
-
'Easy decisions' - Barrow boss makes penalty and refereeing claims in loss to Bolton Wanderers
-
Toal showing, substitutes impact, Dixon - Four ups and two downs for Bolton from Barrow win
