Bolton Wanderers player ratings vs Bristol Rovers

Bolton Wanderers player ratings vs Bristol Rovers - MJ Williams, Conor Bradley & Eoin Toal good

Dion Charles came off the bench to rescue a point for Bolton Wanderers as they came from behind after conceding early against Bristol Rovers in League One 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.

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.

Here's how we rated the Bolton players in the encounter.

James Trafford - 6.5

Beaten at close range by Coburn's finish. Rarely troubled otherwise by the visitors and dealt with crosses and aerial deliveries well.

Gethin Jones - 7

Much more involved going forwards after the break and put in some dangerous deliveries down right flank after ineffective first half.

Eoin Toal - 7.5

League One debut for summer signing from Derry City in place of ill Ricardo Santos. Aside from early goal, looked solid enough in the middle of the back three.

George Johnston - 7

Opening goal came down his channel on the left as hosts started brightly and got in behind. Recovered well after that and was solid throughout the encounter.

Conor Bradley - 7.5

One of the brighter sparks going forwards in the first half for Bolton, and one of the chief creators going forwards after the break.

Aaron Morley - 7

Grew into the game with his passing range in central midfield, but set piece delivery from corners and free kicks poor throughout the encounter.

George Thomason - 5.5

Booked for dissent in first half. Fairly sound on the ball, but was taken off midway through first half due to injury.

Owen Beck - 7

Liverpool loanee handed first League One home start. Struggled at times to deal defensively with Bristol Rovers' attack down that channel. But some bright sparks going forward from the youngster.

Elias Kachunga - 6

Operated in the number 10 role. Early shot parried over by Rovers goalkeeper. Good hold-up play at times and taken off after the hour mark.

Dapo Afolayan - 7.5

The most likely attacking spark for the hosts in the first half, with blasted effort going just over the crossbar. Also bright after the break and caused problems for the opposition.

Jon Dadi Bodvarsson - 6.5

Saw low effort late on in second half claimed by James Belshaw. Some decent hold-up play and footwork from the Iceland international. Taken off on 55 minutes after facial injury.

Substitutes:

MJ Williams - 8

Replaced Thomason in the middle of the park. Added some bite and tackling in central midfield after coming on, and some real energy in brilliant showing off the bench.

Dion Charles - 7

Went close to connecting with dangerous Afolayan cross not long after coming on. Nearly capitalised on Gas defensive error and forced Belshaw into action, but got Wanderers back on level terms with peach of a finish. .

Amadou Bakayoko - 6.5

Had ball in back of the net but ruled out for offside. Caused problems for Rovers after cvoming on.

Kieran Sadlier - 6

Went to left wing-back after coming on. Had not made much of an impact but delivered cross which led to Charles equalising.

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