WANDERERS bounced back from their TV nightmare at Peterborough by running their own highlight reel against Millwall.

Josh Vela’s stunning half-volley summed up a feel-good display at the Macron, which helped Phil Parkinson’s side back level on points with the automatic promotion places in third.

Tom Thorpe added a second-half header, his first Bolton goal since joining on loan from Rotherham United, to cap off a perfect riposte to the sluggish performance at London Road six days earlier.

“Character was needed and it was shown,” said Parkinson. “I thought we did everything we set out to do and that was the criticism of the team at Peterborough, that we didn’t implement what we needed to win the game.

“We knew we’d have the extra man in midfield and we’d have space to pass it and tire the legs off their front players with the ball.

“I thought we did that tremendously well, especially for the first half an hour.”

Wanderers could have scored more – Liam Trotter having one effort ruled out for a marginal offside and fit-again Jay Spearing hitting the bar with a first-half header.

Sammy Ameobi also brought some smart saves from visiting keeper Jordan Archer as Millwall struggled to maintain the form which had seen them chalk up five straight wins since the two teams last met at The Den.

Parkinson admitted he would be giving Vela’s goal a second watch this evening, praising the young midfielder for a high-energy display.

“It was a great finish from Josh – he’s at the top of his game – and that’s four for him this season,” he said.

“His energy to drive the team forward was excellent. He’s playing really well and I’m so pleased he signed a new contract with us a few months back.”

Parkinson revealed after the game that David Wheater could now be missing for a number of weeks with a back problem picked up late on Friday afternoon.

“We don’t know how long it will be yet,” he said. “It was a frustrating day on Friday because the bad weather meant we walked through the set plays and organisation against Millwall on the Astro-Turf and just at the end he struck one ball as he was walking off the pitch and felt some pain in his back.

“Over the next hour his whole back had seized up and by the time he left the training ground he was in absolute agony.

“Obviously it’s a concern. He’s been a big character for us and hopefully we’ll get him back sooner rather than later.”