SAM Allardyce admitted that Wanderers would have been "devastated" if Michael Ricketts' last gasp strike had not salvaged a point against Everton.

"I'm disappointed that we ended up only drawing considering the amount of chances we created," the Reebok boss conceded as the players flew to Spain for four days' training before getting a weekend off, "but I'm grateful to Michael for putting that ball in the net at the end because it really relieves a lot of pressure going into the two week break.

"Losing four games at home on the trot would have been devastating for us. But this will be a great lift for everybody. We've sent everybody away happy with the result and a good performance at home. For me, this is the turning point of the season."

It was a classic case, however, of mixed feelings as Wanderers reflected on what might have been after looking in control in the first half then responding to a 2-1 deficit by creating a succession of chances in a spirited fightback.

"Scoring in the dying seconds of the game to get a 2-2, we have to be satisfied," the manager acknowledged.

"The comeback, having been 2-1 down and down to 10 men is really pleasing but I would say overall that we're very disappointed considering the number of chances we created. I don't know what we have to do to score a few more, although there were some stunning saves from the keeper off Kevin Nolan and Rod Wallace. We'll have to hope somebody comes along soon and has a nightmare against us instead of being brilliant.

"It was important when we had a poor spell just after half time that we didn't concede but it messed us up when Charlie (Simon Charlton) came off and we had to reorganise under pressure. That caught us out. Gascoigne scored and, after losing our last three home games, it made it very difficult for us.

"Everton did not make too many chances but they scored two and that's a worry. We've got to make sure we keep that back door shut because that was the basis of our good results at the start of the season. We were a tight unit and the opposition didn't score many against us but it doesn't appear to be going our way at the moment.

"But give credit to the players for their attacking play, the tremendous character they showed and the amount of pressure they put on Everton. Maybe we should have got the goal before we did - then maybe the last one would have been the winner - but I suppose I have to be satisfied with a point because of the performance, the number of chances we've created and the fact that not losing has stopped the rot at home."

Allardyce offered no defence in the case of Djibril Diawara, who was sent of three minutes from the end of normal time for a second bookable offence, but questioned referee Andy D'Urso's decision to disallow Kevin Nolan's "goal" in the 76th minute when Dean Holdsworth was penalised for handball.

"I'm a bit concerned about criticising referees because over the last few games I've seen so many decisions go against us but it was dubious," he claimed. "Having looked at the video it is not conclusive. The ball came over a defender and touched onto Dean. I'm not sure whether it was ball to hand or not."

Once again Wanderers profited from set-play work with Per Frandsen's opening goal coming from a free kick and Ricketts' point saver converted from a Ricardo Gardner corner.

"It just shows the importance of set-pieces," the manager pointed out. "When you are into the 93rd minute and you're 2-1 down, it doesn't matter what has gone on before, whether we are the better side or not. We scored and, thanks to Michael, we got what we deserved."