Ian Evatt expects a tough test against Exeter and says his players need to “come back down to earth” after their Wembley joy.

The Grecians have lost just one of their last seven matches and have a decent record at home this season.

The Whites currently sit fifth in the League One table but are only above Peterborough and Derby on goal difference at this stage.

“(Exeter) have been going really, really well at home,” said the Bolton boss. “I think they have won their last four there and beat Barnsley comfortably, who were in red-hot form at the time. It is a very challenging game for us.

“There is lots still to play for and we have had to come back down to earth and refocus, we have no other choice.

“We enjoyed Sunday so much, as did everybody else, so we really want to do all we can to try and get back there.

“The margin for error is really small. We were almost in a false position for a while because we played three or four games than everybody else.

“The seven-point gap looked huge, but we are now the ones with a game in hand and we are still sitting where we were.

“As much as the gap has tightened, we are still in a very strong position. We have just got to make sure we finish the season strongly.”

Wanderers also face Cambridge on Monday, but Evatt is confident his players are in good condition to handle their demanding schedule.

“It is about choosing the right players for the right game, that is what’s important,” he added. “Every game will offer something different.

“The away game at Exeter will look completely different to the home game against Cambridge, so we have to pick a team accordingly really.

“The players have looked re-energised and very focused. The quality in training over the last three weeks has been superb.

“On the pitch - at Sheffield Wednesday, in the friendly against Rotherham and now on Sunday – they have replicated exactly what they have shown me on the training pitch, which is great.”

The Whites have struggled against the top teams at times but certainly rose to the occasion against Plymouth.

Evatt believes his players can take plenty of encouragement from their display – but insists they cannot afford to lose focus.

“Providing they take the right things from it because there shouldn’t be any complacency and they shouldn’t think it is job done,” the manager explained.

“The season is not over, we have got eight big games to go. We are going to be challenged in those eight games and there will be highs and lows.

“We have to try to manage those and try to replicate that performance as many times as we can from now until the end of the season.

“My fire is always ignited, but it has just given us that little bit of a boost to say, ‘I want to do this all over again’.

“It was that special, and I think the players feel the same. We are going to give it our best shot and see what happens.”