IAN Evatt believes Wanderers are in a good place heading into a play-off semi-final reunion with Barnsley next Friday.

Bolton signed off the regular season with an entertaining 3-3 draw at Peterborough United – knowing for virtually the whole game that Derby’s lead at Carlisle United effectively rendered their scoreline meaningless.

After a strong start, Kyle Dempsey’s header and Dion Charles’s penalty put them two ahead. But Posh rallied in the second half to go 3-2 up with two goals from Malik Mothersille and one from Joel Randall. Cameron Jerome rescued a point with a close range strike eight minutes from time.

“First half we were very good, the pressing strategy was great, we were intense and really aggressive, got two up in the game and could and should have scored more,” Evatt said.

“Obviously the result elsewhere filters back to us and the players and probably knocked the stuffing out of us a little bit. We didn’t quite maintain the same focus and intensity in the second half and that is natural, I suppose.

“We now know where we are and what is ahead of us. And now the job is to focus on that game on Friday.”

Asked whether there was any concern over the lost lead, Evatt said he was reading little into the second half with news of Derby’s result clearly affecting the mood on the pitch.

“We just lost focus,” he said. “The first goal we should have defended better but there was a clear handball on the touchline, the second goal is offside and when the pass is made he is in our half so it is a decision we can’t get wrong.

“But I am really pleased with the reaction to get ourselves back level after conceding the third and we regained some control.

“The guys who were injured are now getting fitter and stronger, it was great to see Dion get a goal today, so there were lots of positives to take and lessons to be learned today.”

Wanderers lost over two legs against Barnsley last season but this year will have the advantage of hosting the second leg at the Toughsheet Stadium.

Both games this season have ended in draws but the late comeback at Oakwell in early March proved to be a turning point for the Tykes’ season, their place in the play-offs only secured by the skin of their teeth.

“There aren’t any secrets, we know each other well and it will be a really tough game, especially on a Friday night,” Evatt said.

“This team has improved and evolved. I think we are in a better place for it this season than we were last.

“We go everywhere to win, there won’t be a backward step for us on Friday. We won’t go there looking for any kind of result to take them back home, we will take it to them and ask questions.

“We have had lots of tight games this season and last but I do think this group has evolved a little bit and become stronger. We have key personnel back at the right time and it has been great to manage some of their workload today and make sure we get them back out on the pitch Friday.

“Paris Maghoma was ill, which was unfortunate. He has been red hot recently.

“Victor Adeboyejo is back with us this week, Nathan Baxter, Dion Charles and Ricardo Santos all came through fine and they are back to full fitness.

“The group is strong again and you can see the difference it makes when everyone is available.”