ATTACK remains the best form of defence for Wanderers boss Ian Evatt, who stood by his decision not to defend a one-goal lead against Morecambe on Tuesday night.

Eoin Doyle’s first-half strike had already put the Whites ahead but with full control of the game Evatt looked to put the result beyond doubt by sending on attacking pair Marcus Maddison and Dapo Afolayan on the hour mark for Lloyd Isgrove and Arthur Gnahoua.

Wanderers had the likes of Andy Tutte and Brandon Comley available on the bench if they wished to shut up shop but Evatt has no regrets on the path he chose, and feels it was important to give his new signings as many minutes as possible.

Maddison’s red card changed the complexion of the game but the Bolton boss still feels he saw evidence of what both he and Afolayan can bring to the team.

“Dapo is magic, a talented boy,” he said. “You saw glimpses but it’s a shame we didn’t see them in full flow, really, Madders and Dapo, because they were brought on to win us the game, to extend the lead and kill the game off, and they combined quite quickly for the chance that was saved.

“But the referee changed the game with that decision and then it was a case of trying to be solid and hitting them on the counter. It had all changed.

“It was disappointing to concede from a set piece but if you can’t win, don’t lose. And we would have lost that game earlier in the season.”

Wanderers brought on loanee Zack Elbouzedi for the final 12 minutes – but the Lincoln man had a rather unfortunate cameo.
“Young Zack was disappointed he lost his marker for the set piece but we brought him on for his pace – when you are under pressure you see someone who can run you up the pitch and he would have done that,” Evatt explained.

“He probably had a chance late on but he passed to Doyler, and you’d have fancied him in that position but it wasn’t to be.”