Scripts were ripped up and re-typed as Wanderers claimed their first-ever win at Wycombe on a frantic night at Adams Park. 

Leading 2-0 at half time, Bolton’s first half performance had been an exercise in strong defending and concentration. 

Paris Maghoma and George Thomason had given them a commanding lead but Wycombe’s pluck got them back level with 20 minutes of the game to go, and travelling fans had that sinking feeling. 

Then Eoin Toal came up with the biggest moment of his Bolton career so far, a thundering header that restored the lead and breathed fresh life into the team. 

Aaron Morley then scored from the spot to make the game comfortable, and ensure that Sharon Brittan and Co had bragging rights in High Wycombe for a few weeks yet. 

Wanderers made a concession to Wycombe’s physical strength and set piece prowess, resting their most attacking wing-back, Randell Williams, from the start, and bringing Will Forrester into the back three. 

Gethin Jones moved to right wing-back, and Paris Maghoma also replaced Aaron Morley in the middle of midfield, as Evatt looked to shore up his team for the onslaught he expected. 

There were some crucial early clearances from Ricardo Santos as Luke Leahy’s reliable left foot put a couple of awkward crosses into the box. But Bolton settled well, the travelling fans understanding the assignment and cheering each header won, each second ball claimed. 

But for a couple of Dacres-Cogley raids down the left there had been little in an attacking sense from Bolton until the 14th minute when Maghoma drove purposefully towards the edge of the box and drove a shot which should have been easily dealt with by keeper Max Stryjek, instead the ball skidded off his chest and dribbled over the line. 

Wanderers conceded possession – in itself a rarity – but more than made up for it with attitude, competing fearlessly right across the park.  

Maghoma nearly grabbed a second when he combined with Jones on the right to drill an angled shot at goal, pushed over by Stryjek by way of amends.  

Dacres-Cogley’s tenaciousness on the left then created a chance for Thomason, somehow scrambled away by a Wycombe defence that was creaking under the pressure. By comparison, Bolton’s defence looked switched-on to danger but Nathan Baxter still had to be alert to push away a shot from Freddie Potts. 

That moment proved a pivotal one. Wycombe had discovered their first glimpse of space around the Bolton box but just 60 seconds later Josh Sheehan arrowed a ball down the middle for Thomason, who got his boot to the ball ahead of Stryjek to send it into the net. 

Wanderers had to make sure their lead stayed intact to the break. One lapse in concentration had cost them on two previous visits to these parts and it was clear from the messaging coming from Evatt and his staff on the touchline that they didn’t want that to happen again. 

Deep into stoppage time Forrester stopped Boyes in his tracks on the corner of the penalty error with a challenge that had absolutely no room for error. It was celebrated like a goal by the 800-or-so fans in virtual pitch darkness behind the goal, and likewise by the Bolton players on their way back down the tunnel. But the job was not yet done, not by far. 

Within a couple of minutes of the restart, the home side had put themselves straight back in the game. 

A cross from the right took a deflection off Toal and dropped for Leahy 20 yards out. The finish was outstanding, and the effect on Wycombe transformative. 

Wide forwards Dale Taylor and Brandon Hanlan were now getting into the game and the crosses that had been crowded out in the opening 45 minutes were now creeping through. This was a real test of nerve. 

Wycombe’s desire to equalise presented more space for Bolton to attack in midfield, and Thomason was unlucky with one powerful effort blocked on the edge of the box.  

But as the hour mark passed by there was a danger of dropping too deep, allowing the pressure to force them back on to the edge of the penalty box. On such things, Wycombe delight. 

Evatt brought off goalscorer Maghoma for Morley in the hope of adding a bit more control in the middle of the parky. The game by that stage had devolved into a frantic affair but there was a sense that if Bolton could just conjure one moment of clarity, they could ensure the points went home with them. 

Kieran Sadlier was introduced with 20 minutes to go, triggering a knowing sight from the Bolton fans behind the goal. Quite a few of them have seen this one before. 

Bolton were certainly not ready to give up their lead just yet – Dacres-Cogley lashed one shot just over the top and Josh Sheehan danced down the left to lift a dangerous cross to the far post but nobody was able to get a touch. 

But when sub David Wheeler stabbed the rebound home after Baxter had saved Potts’ low shot, there seemed an inevitability about it all. Best case scenario the post-match discussions were going to be about a precious point away from home. 

When Evatt brought on Dan Nlundulu and Cameron Jerome for Charles and Adeboyejo there were boos from small pockets behind the goal. This had the potential to be a pivotal moment in Bolton’s season. 

And then, like manna from heaven, Bolton won a corner. Eoin Toal ventured up and powered in the cleanest of headers. He set-pieced the set-piecers. 

Not long after that, Jerome raced on to a ball from the back and got the wrong side of Richard Keogh. He was clearly tripped from behind and ref Leigh Doughty – for once on the night – found in Bolton’s favour. 

Morley drove the penalty past Stryjek to make it 4-2 and end any chance of another comeback. A ground on which Bolton had experienced so much drama in the past had another mad 90 minutes to add to the collection.