Bolton Wanderers picked up a point in the Papa Johns Trophy after coming from 2-0 down to draw with Tranmere Rovers but lost the subsequent penalty shootout.
A Wanderers side that had 10 changes made to it from Saturday's win against Peterborough United went behind at Prenton Park thanks to Kieron Morris breaking the deadlock. Paul Lewis added a second for the hosts before half-time.
But Wanderers responded following their poor first half showing and halved the deficit through Kieran Sadlier's classy finish on the turn. And youngster Conor Carty came off the bench to ensure the clash went to penalties.
READ MORE: Bolton Wanderers player ratings vs Tranmere Rovers - Josh Sheehan, Kieran Sadlier & Conor Carty good
Lloyd Isgrove saw his penalty saved as the hosts won 5-4 to claim the extra point for a shootout victory, though Wanderers still top the Northern Group B with four points overall. After the game, Wanderers boss Ian Evatt gave his initial reaction.
What’s your assessment of that?
“First half was really disappointing. When you make 10 changes sometimes you can lack a bit of fluidity and continuity. Some of those players haven’t played a great deal of late, but it wasn’t that reason, it was purely down to for me a lack of urgency, intensity, energy, everything that we pride ourselves on and build foundations on we didn’t show first half.
“We lost first contacts, we lost second contacts, we didn’t track runners, we didn’t win duels and that’s the basics and foundations of football. You can speak about exciting passing patterns, movement, rotations, creating chances, but if you don’t have that first bit the rest of it is irrelevant and we didn’t show that first bit first half.
“We spoke about it at half-time and second half we didn’t necessarily play great either, but what we did do is we showed all of that I’ve just spoken about. We get ourselves back in the game purely based upon that so it’s a good learning curve for us to really look at that and use that as a reference point for the rest of the season to say that if we ever dip below our energy levels and dip below the intensity then that’s what happens to us, regardless of the opposition.
“We’ll learn from it, we’ll use it and we’ll go again.”
Young Conor Carty had a night to remember?
“I’m delighted for him. He’s a really good finisher, a serious finisher and he’s been showing up well in the B team games, showing up well in some training sessions, deserved some minutes today and I’m delighted that he’s taken that goal like that.”
Lloyd Isgrove back after so long as well must be great to see?
“I’m pleased for him. He’s been through the mire, it’s been tough for him but as I said on Saturday, we’ve got a group and a team of fighters and Izzy is one of those. He’s come back fighting tonight and I thought he was excellent when he came on.”
It’s some time now before the next game - what’s the plans?
“The plan is to reset, rest, recuperate, and get ready for the nitty gritty of this season. These winter months coming up, October, November, December, January, that’s where seasons are built and we need to make sure when we come back from this little break, we’re bang at it for next Saturday against Lincoln.”
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