Key takeaways from Bolton Wanderers' draw at Peterborough

Charles back in the goals

Dion Charles had been showing promising signs since returning from injury and the striker will be delighted to have scored his first goal since January.

The Northern Irish international kept his cool to beat Jed Steer from the spot after Randell Williams was judged to have been tripped in the box.

Despite his time on the sidelines, Charles is now on the verge of reaching the 20-goal milestone in back-to-back seasons, which would be some feat.

He is certainly a big player for the Whites and will benefit from getting minutes under his belt in recent weeks.

Dempsey takes chance

Kyle Dempsey came into the starting line-up at London Road, with Paris Maghoma dropping out of the squad due to illness.

It took the tenacious midfielder just four minutes to get on the scoresheet with a clinical header that Steer got a hand to but couldn’t keep out.

Dempsey also carried out some important work out of possession, providing energy energy in abundance in the middle of the pitch.

He will be keen to keep the shirt for the play-offs but there is plenty of competition, with Maghoma, Josh Sheehan and George Thomason forming an effective trio in recent months. Aaron Morley also looked sharp off the bench and has proven he can deliver in big moments.

Jerome on form

Football is a funny old game. Cameron Jerome had to wait over a year for his first league goal for Wanderers and now he can’t stop scoring!

The experienced striker didn’t seem to know much about this one after getting on the end of Nat Ogbeta’s cross but when your luck is in, it’s in.

Jerome got the equaliser eight minutes from time (Image: Camerasport)

Jerome has often played an important role off the bench this season, particularly helping the Whites see games out from winning positions.

He has a wealth of experience at a high level, which could have a big impact on the squad going into the play-offs.

No fairytale

Wanderers knew they only had a slim chance of finishing second going into the fixture but when the first couple of goals arrived in rapid time, those in attendance were wondering if something special was about to happen.

However, the result against Darren Ferguson’s side ultimately proved irrelevant after Derby got the job done against bottom side Carlisle.

In hindsight, that might have actually been a good thing. It would have felt like a huge missed opportunity if the Rams had slipped up and Bolton failed to take advantage, even against a side as dangerous as Peterborough.

There is no time to dwell on what has happened as Ian Evatt’s side prepare for at least two more massive games.

Tykes rematch

It just had to be, didn’t it? Wanderers looked set to face Oxford in the semi-final until Northampton struck a 96th minute equaliser at Oakwell, which saw Barnsley slip to sixth place.

Interim boss Martin Devaney took charge against the Cobblers following Neill Collins’ sacking and just about got over the line, with Lincoln and Blackpool losing against Portsmouth and Reading respectively.

Wanderers will be desperate to avenge their narrow defeat last year, and having the crucial second leg at the Toughsheet Community Stadium is undoubtedly a psychological boost.

However, the Tykes’ managerial uncertainty could make the Whites’ preparation slightly trickier as they get ready for a night under the lights in South Yorkshire.