Toughing out a goalless draw against Derby County is a sign of progression at Wanderers, says Ian Evatt.

The Bolton boss reckons Tuesday’s nip-and-tuck contest at the UniBol would have gone very differently in previous seasons.

Evatt’s side missed out on the play-offs last season due largely because of their poor record against the top six sides and have already lost games against Plymouth Argyle and Sheffield Wednesday this term.

But he is encouraged by the resilience shown against the Rams, where Dion Charles had the game’s outstanding chance, and hopes it will continue in a tricky run of games leading into January.

“These big games are all about moments, crucial moments,” he said.

“You look back at Plymouth away at the start of the season, a game we had completely dominated, missing countless big opportunities. They had two chances and took them.

“Sheffield Wednesday was a similar case. Conor Bradley had a big chance before they got that first goal.

“It is something we have to get better at but I will say that the Derby game is one that historically we would have lost. There is a progression.

“We want to get there as fast as we possibly can but so does everyone else.

“That (Derby) is a big club with big finances and they have recruited a manager who knows how to win promotions at this level, so it was a big task.

“But they have changed their shape for us, they played in transition and counter attacks. We had control – although not as much as I’d like. They drew us into that and I’d like us to learn a lesson in terms of detail and composure in our play.

“I see it as a point gained, definitely.”