Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Burton Albion - Full time match report

Jasper Moon’s own goal at the start of the second half made sure it was four wins on the spin for Ian Evatt’s side, and there was no doubt whatsoever they deserved the spoils.

But with a few better decisions around the penalty box and a bit more ruthlessness in front of goal it could have been an afternoon to boost the goal difference as well as the points column.

Bolton had only beaten Burton once in 10 attempts, stretching back to 2015, and no matter who has been in charge of the Brewers down the years, they have lost none of their ability to make things uncomfortable.

The pressure finally told, however, and while the more cynical among us may point out it took a Burton player to put the ball into the net, nobody could argue that is was not deserved on the day.

Wanderers made four changes to the side that beat Fleetwood on Monday night, bringing Victor Adeboyejo back up front to face his former club and adding Aaron Morley, Will Forrester and Paris Maghoma for the Asian Cup-bound Gethin Jones, Kyle Dempsey, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Josh Sheehan.

Burton’s plan to disrupt was evident from the first few minutes. Keeper Max Crocombe would do more than most to keep Bolton at bay – making some key saves from Adeboyejo, Morley and George Thomason – but his brief was clearly to slow the game down at every possible opportunity. In that respect, he had an excellent first half.

Wanderers dominated possession but they did allow themselves to be slowed down at times, with an element of indecision creeping in around the penalty box. Against such awkward opponents, whose threat from set pieces was ever-present, the first goal was always going to be a crucial one.

Adebjoyejo should have applied it. Springing the offside trap, he raced through 17 minutes in and looked to have gone around keeper Crocombe, only for the New Zealander to get back to make an impressive block.

The former Brewer looked keen to make an impression and worked hard to keep the tempo up and hassle mistakes. He picked Deji Oshilaja’s pocket midway through the half to create a chance for Maghoma, whose shot was deflected just over the crossbar.

Another error gave then Morley a shooting chance from a free kick – Crocombe coming to his side’s rescue again with a good save down to his right.

The frustration at Burton’s timewasting was spreading. Fans counted down each time Crocombe had the ball in hand, like a curious New Year’s re-enactment, and even Ian Evatt joined in by jogging on to the pitch to collect a loose ball and enable a quick throw.

Referee Darren Drysdale had clocked Burton’s plan and called over their captain, John Brayford, for a word of warning. It had little impact, and when the fourth official held up just three minutes on his board for the interval, the entire stadium uttered a collective: “What?”

Morley sent another stinging shot at goal, once again tipped over by the keeper, but you couldn’t escape the feeling that Wanderers had wasted their territorial possession and their refusal to shoot was starting to grate.

Into the second half, and Burton’s set-piece skills very nearly paid dividends. Nathan Baxter came up with an important claim just as Bez Lubala looked to have got on the end of Jasper Moon’s cross. And moments later, Josh Dacres-Cogley got clear on the right, drilling a low cross in which bounced off Brayford and then Moon, into the net.

Burton had given Bolton a helping hand but with the psychology of the game now changed, would Evatt’s side take advantage of the extra space?

Joe Powell made one crucial intervention as Dacres-Cogley’s cross looked to be heading for Thomason and on a couple of occasions Wanderers got themselves into the right position but failed to find the right final pass.

Wanderers continued to ask all the questions. A few were clearly tiring after a hectic festive schedule, this being their fourth game in nine days, but they continued to control the game, even if that second goal continued to elude them.

Morley fizzed a couple of right-footed efforts wide from distance and Bodvarsson – on for Adeboyejo – had one cleared off the line by Sam Hughes after some excellent work on the right by Dacres Cogley.

The gaps started to open up in the closing minutes. Bodvarsson slid a cross into the six yard box after turning well, but Charles could not get a touch. Wanderers’ top scorer was also denied by yet another block from Hughes, who had been practically magnetic in the second half.

Still the Whites could not put the game to bed. A poor pass from Morley very nearly let sub Josh Walker in with a few minutes to go, the midfielder bailed out by Ricardo Santos’s speed of recovery and an excellent challenge from Eoin Toal.

As stoppage time ticked over, Bodvarsson got space on the right edge of the box and squared a pass for fellow replacement Jerome. The finish rather summed up the afternoon as a whole.

Jerome nearly made amends, pulling a ball back for Dempsey in the 95th minute, but this time Moon got himself in the way of the shot and the ball bounced over the crossbar to safety.

The final whistle sounded and Wanderers were able to applaud a messy victory, but a victory nonetheless. No-one ever said it would be easy.