THERE was no disgrace whatsoever in defeat at the New York Stadium and so many signs that 2022 can be a successful year at Wanderers.

Whereas recent results against Accrington, and particularly Fleetwood smacked of a team desperately willing January closer, this performance felt more like a group of players desperate to be involved beyond the transfer window.

Regardless of the effects Covid has had on the Bolton squad, there are players who have reached a crossroad in their career at the UniBol. Some will depart, some may be shunted further into the background, but the message from Ian Evatt seems to be that progress will be made and sentimentality abandoned.

Dubbed ‘Wanderers 2.0’ by the Bolton boss - ever able to reach for a sound-byte in times like these – the plan to create a more dynamic and energetic side capable of winning the ball higher up the pitch is contingent on bringing in players able to do it.

So whereas Evatt largely kept faith with the team that had got him out of League Two during the summer window, January should provide the first big clues on the evolution of this team under its young manager.

There were noticeable differences at Rotherham. Possession significantly reduced, the attacking press several yards higher up the pitch, George Thomason linking up more effectively with the front three.

And though a squad still bearing obvious after-effects of the virus was unable to keep up the pace, there were signs of promise that a tweak in style could be advantageous.

Backed by nearly 1,000 travelling fans who have rarely sounded so loud this season, Wanderers produced an admirable performance in the circumstances against one of the most powerful and effective sides in the division.

Paul Warne’s team may have issues making their efficient style work in the Championship but at League One level they can be relentless, and though they had problems keeping the ball and picking the right passes for the first hour, in the end the wolf blew the straw house down.

In the opposite dugout, Evatt had cause for complaint when Dapo Afolayan was clumsily challenged by Richard Wood as he turned on goal just outside the penalty box. Referee Geoff Eltringham felt the Bolton player had made too much of the challenge and eventually booked Evatt for his remonstrations.

Moments later, when Declan John was involved in another flashpoint at the other end of the pitch, Eltringham had to jog over and have a calming word in the Bolton manager’s ear. A moment of common sense in what proved an erratic day from the set of officials.

As the pressure built, Bolton’s superb support responded to each challenge with gusto. They understood the assignment.

And their backing no doubt put an extra 10 per cent in the players’ legs, very nearly spurring them on to what would have been a fine point.

Michael Smith punctured Bolton’s defences with five minutes left in a first half of unyielding pressure. The big striker has often been a problem for the Whites, and though Will Aimson appeared to get clattered as he rose to power home Shane Ferguson’s cross, there had been plenty of warning signs.

Wanderers hit straight back, though, winning possession high up the pitch with Dapo Afolayan and working the ball through George Johnston for Eoin Doyle to drive in his eighth of the season.

The Dubliner had missed a decent chance midway through the half, created by the lively Elias Kachunga, but as so often in a Bolton shirt, continued to put himself front and centre.

For all the criticism that has come his way, talk of wasted opportunities, nobody has shouldered as much burden on the pitch at Bolton during his 18 months at the UniBol, and if this proves to be his final goal then he deserves every bit of recognition.

For a spell early in the second half it seemed possible that Bolton would use their momentum to grab a second. Thomason, Afolayan and Kachunga looked in the mood and Johnston, playing in a midfield three, was having his best game of the season so far.

Viktor Johansson had to be alert as Wanderers fired a few shots his way. But inevitably, the energy levels started to sap and Rotherham were able to add some extra energy from the bench to force home their territorial advantage.

Joel Dixon made a couple of superb close range saves to deny Rarmani Edmonds-Green and Freddie Ladapo. Wanderers looked out on their feet.

And within a few minutes Smith had profited again from some jaded attempts to close down Chiedozie Ogbene’s cross, taking his tally to 17 for the season; not bad considering he had not scored in the league since October 30.

Credit to Wanderers, who had by then thrown on Harry Brockbank, Liam Gordon and Amadou Bakayoko for a much-needed energy boost, they found an extra level to finish the game well.

Brockbank skewed a shot over the bar and Afolayan missed a close-range volley with the final kick of the game, breaking down and sinking to his knees after the final whistle in exhausted disappointment.

In keeping with the theme of the day, the massed ranks behind the goal cheered his name. Bakayoko and Evatt consoled. Dapo will go again and so will the rest of the Wanderers who had laboured to the end.

The team had allowed negativity to creep in before Christmas because many of the players had allowed that most basic of requirements – work-rate – to drop below an acceptable standard. Injuries had played their part in results dipping, no doubt, but it is very difficult to pull the wool over thousands of eyes in the stand at the same time.

This was more like it. There were mistakes, deficiencies, some of which can be ignored because of the unusual circumstances this squad found itself in over Christmas.

But there were also moments of hope, and if Evatt can push this team in an exciting new direction then 2022 will once again be worth the ticket price.