IAN Evatt was “super proud” of his Wanderers as their pre-game planning worked to a tee at Lincoln City.

Antoni Sarcevic came up with a second-half winner to give Bolton their first League One win of the campaign, putting them ninth in the early season table.

Evatt believes it was just reward for the homework which had been crammed into the squad at the team hotel on Monday during a team meeting.

“We were absolutely outstanding,” he said. “We were upset with Saturday and the one before because to concede three goals twice wasn’t really like us. And I was more peeved with not having control of the game, not having possession, because that is how we dictate things.

“We had a big discussion yesterday and told them lots of things which they took on board and applied it tonight. It was a fantastic away performance.”

Wanderers improved in the second half, testing Joshua Griffiths’ goal on a handful of occasions and even hitting the woodwork twice during a goalmouth scramble.

Evatt maintained, however, that his team always had the upper hand.

“I don’t think it was the second half, I think we had control all game. We limited them to very little, a couple of counter attacks here and there, but otherwise we dominated possession and the hard yards were done in that first half, in my opinion. Teams fatigue when you are chasing the ball.

“We have been brave from the back, built from the back, applied what was given to them. We deserved the win.”

Wanderers remain unbeaten after four games in league and cup and have lost just three games since the end of January.

Getting a first victory on the board against a side which is being tipped to go one better than their play-off final achievements last season was a statement – but Evatt believes his side has plenty of improvement still to come.

“I am disappointed not to have nine points to be brutally honest. I think we deserved nine points but we haven’t because of the way we have given away too many transitions and lost goals at key periods.

“But this team is still improving. We have to keep them all in one piece and fresh, and we are picking up injuries because of what happened in pre-season and the workload, but they have applied everything I gave to them and I am super proud of them.

“I had no doubts. We have a huge amount of belief and this team isn’t used to losing games any more.

“Teams find it hard to beat us and tonight we fully deserved the victory, in my opinion.”