Amadou Bakayoko brought an energy to Bolton Wanderers as he came off the bench to grab an important goal for his team in the win over Crewe Alexandra, according to Ian Evatt.
In a first half which was scrappy in windy conditions at Gresty Road and Bolton's best chance came through Kieran Sadlier's free-kick being saved, Wanderers improved after the break and Dapo Afolayan struck the post as the visitors looked more likely to score.
And that late goal came when Sadlier's free-kick came off the post and George Johnston crossed back into the box for Amadou Bakayoko to net his 11th goal of the season and reduce the deficit to the play-offs to nine points with seven games of their season left after the 1-0 victory in Cheshire.
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The result leaves Wanderers remaining 11th in the League One table and Wanderers have a visit to the DW Stadium to take on Wigan Athletic when they return from the international break at the start of April.
The free kick was won by Elias Kachunga, another substitute, as Bakayoko netted for the seventh time in League One this campaign and for the fourth occasion in the competition after coming off the bench.
And Evatt believes Sierra Leone international Bakayoko brought an energy to the Wanderers team when he came on to net what could prove to be a very important strike, as Kachunga also proved his worth off the bench.
The Bolton boss said: “When the game’s stretched and he brings an energy to the team and he gets himself in good positions and the team manages to find him in those good positions and it’s a really important goal for us.
“That was the game and we explained that at half-time that we needed to play slightly longer but then make sure we were there for the second balls and the transitions and Kacha picked it up and drove at them and then it’s decided on a set play.
"Sads’ quality from set plays is important, especially around the box and we followed in, a good ball from Jonno and Baka’s there at the right place and the right time, so it was important.”
