AARON Morley grabbed a late winner for Wanderers on his return from Wycombe to complete an incredible comeback at St James Park.

The midfielder – who had scored the decisive goal from the penalty spot just a few days ago against exactly the same opposition for his loan club – drifted in a 91st minute effort to secure a barely deserved three points.

Wanderers looked to be heading for their second successive defeat of 2025 before Aaron Collins pounced on a defensive error for his 12th of the season.

And one point suddenly turned into three as Morley’s free kick found its way into the net in the driving rain to spark memorable scenes behind the opposite goal.

Wanderers made five changes to the side that lost at Mansfield Town with Aaron Morley coming straight back into the team after his recall from Wycombe, replacing Jay Matete at the base of the midfield.

Nathan Baxter returned in goal, with Will Forrester, John McAtee and Grecians old boy Randell Williams also slotting into Evatt’s line-up.

Bolton gave a very good account of themselves for the first half an hour, with one Ricardo Santos header bouncing off the top of the bar and Aaron Collins having a goal disallowed for offside.

Exeter rarely threatened, at least for any great periods, but the bobbly pitch put extra pressure on every pass. Bolton, at times, put themselves under stress.

That happened very early on when Santos played a blind pass back to Baxter, which thankfully rolled a yard wide of his post.

Wanderers grew into the game and got some real joy down the right side where Williams and McAtee combined on a couple of occasions and, crucially, the quality of the delivery was also more consistent.

George Thomason prodded one shot wide and then swiped at fresh air from the edge of the box with another opportunity. Bolton thought they had taken the lead when Collins turned in Szabi Schon’s low cross – the product of a fine move through midfield – but the linesman correctly disagreed.

McAtee almost got a slice of luck after aiming a swerving left-footed volley at goal which slipped through Joe Whitworth’s grasp and dribbled agonisingly wide in front of the travelling supporters.

But the final 10 minutes became scrappy, with the quality drifting out of Bolton’s game. Sadly, that spilled over in the second half.

Wanderers did have one big chance to inch ahead – Forrester heading back across goal for McAtee, whose shot was parried by Joe Whitworth. Klaidi Lolos pounced on the rebound but couldn’t get his effort on target.

While we were all digesting that burst of action, A straightforward goal kick turned into a case of ‘after you’ in the Whites defence. Santos dawdled, Baxter was stranded, and the pace of Demetri Mitchell ensured the opening goal.

After a wobbly couple of minutes Bolton did try and offer a response. Williams had an acrobatic volley blocked close in, George Johnston had another effort from distance deflected over the top.

It had been Brazil Takeover Day at St James Park but the only sense of that in the closing stages were the sarcastic cries of ole from the away end each time a pass went backward or sideways. It was that kind of day.

The mood turned uglier when ex-Bolton striker Josh Magennis flagged an issue up with referee Ben Speedie, who then went over to the fourth official and managers. An announcement was then made to say racist language had been used and that the game would be stopped if it happened again.

But no sooner had the message started, Jack Fitzwater messed up a header to his own keeper and Collins nipped in to grab an equaliser.

A point felt somewhat snatched but better was yet to come. And Morley provided the whipped cross which cleared the keeper and bounced into the net to leave the away end in delirium.