Ian Evatt felt Wanderers failed to make the “big moments” count as they were beaten 2-0 by leaders Birmingham at St Andrew’s.

Tomoki Iwata struck an early opener and Jay Stansfield wrapped up the result four minutes from time from the penalty spot.

John McAtee had a big chance to get Bolton back on level terms before the second goal but was denied by Ryan Allsop from close range.

“They are a really good team – and they should be obviously with the finances that have been spent here,” he said.

“They were as good as I have seen at this level. We, with the personnel we had available, had a plan to be tight and be in the game at 60 minutes.

“Then, we could get the attackers on, be a bit more adventurous and go for it. The disappointing thing is we conceded very early and we lose a dual in midfield, which we shouldn’t lose.

“It is a brilliant finish but I think the goal was a bit self-inflicted. We hung in there, stayed in it and get the moment that we wanted.

“We have to score, it is as simple as that. 1-1 with five or 10 minutes to go, we are in the ascendency and I think end up getting a really positive result.”

The hosts were awarded a spot kick when Will Forrester was judged to have caught Keshi Anderson late in the box.

“Will is trying to block the ball and momentum carries him through,” Evatt added. “You see that tackle so many times during games. The referee - I thought - was very poor tonight, he couldn’t wait to give it.

“I am disappointed that in another big game against a very good team, the big moments have cost us. We had our big moments.”

Evatt made two changes from the side that beat Burton over the weekend, with Jay Matete and Scott Arfield coming into the midfield.

“The personnel we have got available, we have got the spine of the team more or less missing at the moment, which isn’t ideal,” the manager continued.

“Their two number sixes, in particular, are very good footballers and everything they do well is through them.

“We tried to stop and take away that box they create in possession and frustrate them. We knew they would have a lot of the ball but it was where they had it that was important.

“For large parts, I don’t think they caused us loads of problems. As I said, with half an hour to go we wanted to be adventurous and try to take something from the game.

“It almost paid off and those are the fine margins of football. That big chance, which we should take, probably gets us a positive result and everyone would be delighted.”