AARON Wilbraham hopes to start winning over Wanderers’ supporters after netting a priceless injury-time equaliser at Sheffield Wednesday.

The veteran striker headed home Fil Morais’s cross in the 93rd minute to rescue a result at Hillsborough, and extend the Whites’ advantage over the bottom three to six points with nine games to play.

Hounded by sections of the Bolton fan-base as he struggled to gain traction following his move from Bristol City last summer, the 38-year-old says he is not bitter about the criticism he has received.

“At any club I have been at, I’ve never been popular at first. But I have ended up popular,” he told The Bolton News. “I think the fans just need a chance to get to know me.

“You can never please everyone but being a target man who’s not the quickest, you’ll always get stick. If I was 18 or 19 it might bother me a bit. But I’m 38 and I have been around the block. And I have been booed by a lot more people.

“But while it doesn’t get to me, to hear them singing my name at the end was brilliant because I haven’t had that relationship with them yet. It was class to hear.”

Wanderers fans had dubbed the target man “Wilbrahimovic” in a tongue-in-cheek reference to the Manchester United striker.

Midfielder Jeff King sent a picture of a Bolton fan wearing a shirt emblazoned with the name prior to kick-off – giving Wilbraham a pre-match pick-me-up.

“It gave me a giggle,” he said. “So thanks to whoever bought that. It was a nice little boost.”

Wilbraham missed the whole of pre-season through injury and admits he arrived at Wanderers still playing catch-up.

“When I came in and played at Crewe, my first impression for Bolton was when I was nowhere near my best,” he said. “It’s the only way you’ll get fit, playing games, but that’s where I was at.

“I knew I was coming in to back-up Gaz (Madine). But when Gaz got his move to Cardiff I knew I had to get stronger, be more ready.”