Bolton Wanderers half-time message vs Lincoln City revealed as MK Dons play-offs vow made

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Ian Evatt believes Bolton Wanderers picking up second balls after the break was key to their victory over Lincoln City and led to their goals in the encounter as he set a target to try and win against MK Dons on Saturday in their surge to reach the League One play-offs.

George Johnston put Wanderers ahead after the break after nodding home Aaron Morley's corner in the second half versus Micahel Appleton's side.

But the Imps equalised via Cohen Bramall when his shot appeared to take a deflection and get past James Trafford.

READ MORE: Bolton Wanderers player ratings vs Lincoln City - Substitutes make impact as Aimson and Johnston good

However, a pair of substitutes in the form of Kieran Sadlier and Amadou Bakayoko came off the bench to ensure Wanderers picked up another crucial three points to make it six wins in a row at the University of Bolton Stadium.

Evatt was pleased with the character shown in reacting after the Imps equalised as he pinpointed how Wanderers got themselves back in the game in a hard fought victory.

He said: “It was really difficult because I think Lincoln’s game plan was really good. I think they went into a low deep block and denied us any space through the lines.

"We didn’t have the same zest and energy, especially in wide areas in the first half. What we needed to do and the solution pretty much was get our wing-backs on the last line and probably play more direct at times and hit soft diagonals because there wasn’t any space to play through and Lincoln aren’t the most physical of teams so we felt we could have some more joy that way.

"I think second half we went slightly more direct, played on the front foot a little bit more and picked up second balls. I think that’s what we got our goals