EFL pundit Jamie Mackie described Wanderers' 1-0 defeat against promotion rivals Wycombe as a game of "fine margins".
Lewis Wing got the decisive goal on the stroke of half time, beating James Trafford after a clever corner routine.
Gethin Jones hit the bar for the Whites, while Cameron Jerome also had a couple of penalty appeals turned down in the second half.
The result saw Ian Evatt’s men slip to fourth in the League One table after Ipswich recorded a convincing win against Forest Green.
Meanwhile, Wycombe have now won their last five matches and sit three points behind sixth-place Barnsley at this stage.
The Bolton boss called the Chairboys “a good yardstick” for the third tier ahead of the game, and Mackie agrees with his assessment.
The former QPR and Reading striker reckons Wanderers are still in a decent position in the promotion race despite the defeat.
Speaking as a pundit on the EFL highlights show, he said: “Wycombe have won five in a row now and 10 of their last 14, so I think he is right.
“There’s nothing to be too worried about - (Wanderers) have been in good form and it is only their second defeat in 15.
“Lewis Wing, a man in form with seven goal contributions in eight league games. I think when you’ve got that quality, on days when it is fine margins, that can be the difference.”
Wanderers now sit nine points behind the automatic stages heading into the business stage of the campaign.
The Whites are back in action on Wednesday night when they face North West neighbours Accrington in the Papa Johns Trophy semi-final at the Wham Stadium. The winner will advance to the Wembley final in April to face either Plymouth or Cheltenham.
The Reds enter the game on the back of a 1-0 win against Shrewsbury, which saw them climb out of the drop zone.
Social, newsletters and subscriptions...
You can follow the Bolton News on social media by joining us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
If you want to make sure you don't miss the most important news stories every day, sign up to one of our free e-mail newsletters
Gain unlimited access to the Bolton News website with a premium digital subscription
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here