PHIL Parkinson paid tribute to the Wanderers travelling army for rallying behind Mark Beevers on his return to Millwall.

The big defender was given a predictably rough ride by home fans at The Den, where he had spent four years of his career before moving to the Macron in the summer.

Despite his every touch of the ball being booed by the Lions support, the harsh treatment was balanced out by some vociferous backing from high up in the stands, where 389 Bolton bodies did their uppermost to keep his spirits up.

Their efforts had the desired effect – and Parkinson was delighted to see Beevers play a major part in preserving a fourth consecutive clean sheet.

“That’s what you want when you’re a player coming back to your old club,” said the Wanderers boss.

“I asked him what kind of reception he expected before the game and he said ‘I’m not sure.’ I was sure. I told him they’d boo him every time he touched the ball and to be ready for it.

“Our supporters were great and they responded to it. They gave him a great ovation at the end.

“When you’ve been at a club for a long time, going back and playing there for another team means a lot. But once the handshakes are out of the way you need to concentrate on the job at hand. And he was immense.

“Millwall were in the play-off final last year and though they’ve had a slow start it’s still more or less the same side, other than Mark.

“They’ve probably got the most potent front two in the league and we knew it would be a stern test – but we came through it.

“Both Beevs and David Wheater played like a colossus and defended very, very well.”

There was plenty to admire as Wanderers continued their best defensive run in three years.

Parkinson, however, was glad to see Wheater add a well-taken second goal three minutes from the end to give the scoreline a slightly more flattering look.

“I’m glad we got the second goal because we didn’t want to be hanging on, like we’d felt on Saturday against Oldham,” he said. “I always thought we had the threat and that Zach Clough, Gary Madine and Sammy would do something for us.

“Gaz did great to win the corner for us – it was a fantastic bit of skill. And we capitalised on that set play.”

Wheater’s renaissance just a few months after Wanderers had officially released him from the club has been one of the stories of the season so far.

Like Beevers, the former Middlesbrough man has tapped into a rich vein of form but it his fitness – not always been evident in six injury-flecked years at the Macron – which has been the biggest difference since Parkinson brought him back.

“When we went away to Sweden and spoke to the players and the staff we realise just how well-respected Wheats was around the place,” he explained.

“I said to the chairman ‘I don’t think there’s a better value pound-for-pound centre-half we can bring to this club.’

“Add that to the fact he’s a big influence in the dressing room and he’s important for us.

“When we brought him back in he was so determined to put right what had gone wrong. He has been great.”

Parkinson will take a watching brief this weekend as Wanderers wait until Monday to attempt a fifth successive victory.

“We’ve got a little break to get some rest before Bury and that’s important,” he said. “We know the other teams will play at the weekend now but we wanted to go to Gigg Lane in good spirits and we certainly will do.”

Parkinson also provided a word of warning to his own group, insisting they should not get too immersed in the positive press their recent performances have inspired.

“There is so much work left to do – we can get the lads better, fitter. It’s not even close to finishing yet,” he added.