NEIL Lennon praised his side’s character after coming from two goals down to snatch a point against Brighton.

Despite a promising start, the Wanderers had watched the visitors assume a commanding position in the first half with goals from Bolton-born Dale Stephens and Jamie Murphy.

But a rapid response from Neil Danns paved the way for a gritty second half comeback, helped by Murphy’s dismissal with 16 minutes to go.

Wanderers threw everything forward in search of an equaliser and found one deep into stoppage time when Gary Madine rose to head home his first Bolton goal from Liam Feeney’s cross.

“It was typical us – 2-0 down having played so well,” said the Whites boss. “The first goal was a mistake and we didn’t react the way I’d like.

“But we were playing well and their goalkeeper had made two very good saves from Max Clayton and Liam Feeney.

“We started chasing the game a little bit and we got punished by a team that, let’s get it right, are top of the league and they’re top for a reason.

“But the reaction was fantastic. We could have won the game.

"People have doubted whether we had that character and I think that shows a lot."

Lennon hopes Madine’s goal – his first in eight games for the club – paves the way for more.

“Madine got what he deserved,” he added. “Up until two or three weeks ago I thought he’d been playing really well but this was him back to his best. He led the line really well.

“His header was fantastic. If anyone deserved a goal it was the big fella because it had been eating away at him.”