WANDERERS 3-4-1-2.

NATHAN BAXTER…7.

Pulled off some marvellous saves in the second half, at first to keep his side ahead but then to prevent a real embarrassment. Didn’t deserve to be on the losing side.

GETHIN JONES…5.5.

Hasn’t been an easy ride for Jones recently and that has potentially eroded his confidence. Didn’t venture forward too often, struggled a bit in possession.

RICARDO SANTOS…6.

Got in a couple of scrapes against Reading’s nimble strike force and had to play most of the game on a yellow card, which wasn’t ideal.

EOIN TOAL…5.5.

Had been the busier of the three centre-backs all day but picked up a yellow card for dissent and then another for a clumsy challenge late on. Misses the Peterborough game now.

JOSH DACRES-COGLEY…6.5.

Some encouraging work down the right and, again, his work out wide tended to create the better opportunities. Reading did find space behind him, though.

JOSH SHEEHAN…6.

Involved in a couple of decent moves but not quite as influential as he had been against Derby. Maybe the week of international football had taken a yard out of him?

GEORGE THOMASON…7.

Worked hard to win the ball back and used it as well as anyone, spraying out some eye-catching passes. Would love him to produce more of a goal threat, though.

RANDELL WILLIAMS…5.5.

Reading got behind him quite regularly in the first half and that appeared to sap his energy. Subbed for Iredale in the end.

KYLE DEMPSEY…6.

Had a purple patch early in the second half where he looked Bolton’s best shot of a second goal but not quite at his best and carrying a back problem.

DION CHARLES…6.5.

Ironically he scored with the hardest chance of the game. Wasted a couple of good chances and hurt his shoulder, which could be a bigger miss in the long run.

VICTOR ADEBOYEJO…6.

His link-up play was very good and there is clearly a relationship developing with Charles. Adeboyejo will know, however, that he should have put the game beyond doubt.

Subs: Iredale 75 (for Williams), Jerome 75 (for Adeboyejo), Nlundulu 82 (for Charles), Bodvarsson 89 (for Sheehan).

Not used: Forrester, Morley, Hutchinson.

Tactics - 5/10: Missed chances were certainly the root cause of the defeat but not for the first time this season we have seen Wanderers make changes from the bench and completely lose their way.

Evatt has backed his players publicly but privately must be worried that strikers Nlundulu, Jerome and Bodvarsson are all looking desperately short on confidence and form.

Reading (4-2-2-2): Button; Yiadom; Abbey; Bindon; Mola; Hutchinson; Savage; Knibbs; Azeez; Ballard; Ehibhatiomhan Subs: Mukairu 56 (for Ballard), Elliott 56 (for Knibbs), McIntyre 73 (for Mola), Vickers 82 (for Ehibhatiomhan), Mbengue 82 (for Hutchinson).

Not used: Dean, Boyce-Clarke.

Referee: Lee Swabey 4/10 – Not the reason for Bolton’s defeat but some strange decisions on the day – not least the trip from Bindon on Charles, which should have been a penalty and a red card. Erratic performance from the referee.