NEIL Lennon celebrated a priceless Wanderers win against Rotherham United and then admitted: “I got it wrong”.

Kaiyne Woolery’s late winner enabled the Whites to lift themselves off the foot of the Championship table for the first time since November.

And that left Lennon a relieved man after conceding he had been off target with elements of his team selection against the Millers, including the decision to drop Liam Trotter for Darren Pratley.

“He was very disappointed to be left out and maybe with hindsight it might have been the wrong decision,” Lennon told The Bolton News.

“We felt with Pratley being in form and the goals he has been scoring and he is the captain we would put him in. But he wasn’t at his best.

“Trotter came on and showed great composure and that’s exactly what I am looking for from players. He was disappointed not to be started which is a good sign and he came on and set up the winner.”

Lennon came under fire during the game for withdrawing his only out-and-out striker, Emile Heskey, for midfielder Trotter on 64 minutes.

Fans were clamouring for the introduction of Woolery or Stephen Dobbie from the bench, and both emerged from the bench in the final 10 minutes as Wanderers snatched three points.

“We haven’t got much to pick from,” protested Lennon, “so, we need to keep it tight and win the games we can win. That’s seven points from nine and teams are starting to look over their shoulders at us.

“I am thinking if I could just bring a striker in, just to help us. Or bring in another winger. We are putting square pegs in round holes at times. It doesn’t look great but we are trying to think our way through. It is a great challenge and motivation. It always looks great when it comes off and not so great when it doesn’t.”

Lennon admits his side were not at their best, and that they failed to build on a perfect start, with Jay Spearing scoring after only three minutes. But that was the least of the manager’s concerns as Wanderers closed the gap on safety to three points.

“I didn’t think it was a great performance but it was a great result,” he said. “We played a lot better at Wolves and got a point but it was important to win the game. And it was a massive win.”