WANDERERS (3-5-2).

LUKE SOUTHWOOD…5.5.

Whether he should share the blame in the second goal is debatable. Came into the side for the injured Baxter and had a relatively quite day.

GETHIN JONES…5.

Defending felt passive at times – and if Santos wasn’t involved, Mansfield really fancied their chances. Didn’t get to join in further forward much.

RICARDO SANTOS…6.

Mistake for the second goal aside, he defended pretty well. He won more than anyone else in the air but the cover around him was pretty thin.

GEORGE JOHNSTON…5.

Like Jones, his defensive input on the day was off key. Against aggressive opposition there needed to be more snap – and that’s usually Johnston’s forte.

JOSH DACRES-COGLEY…5.

Quality from the wide areas just wasn't there all day. Dacres-Cogley should have done more to get out to McLaughlin for the first goal.

JAY MATETE…6.5.

Worked hard and added some snap to the midfield for the whole game, rarely wasting possession.

GEORGE THOMASON…5.

Provided the killer cross for Collins – but he will know there were several other opportunities where the final ball really wasn’t good enough.

KLAIDI LOLOS…5.5.

Had a strong first half where he worried Mansfield with his quick feet. Disappeared into the mix a little after the break and was swapped for Mendes Gomes.

SZABI SCHON…5.5.

Produced a couple of positive runs and an effort on goal at the start of the second half but the Hungarian eventually lost his composure, not for the first time.

DION CHARLES…5.

Given very little chance to make an impact on the game and dropped too deep at times trying to get involved. One deflected effort in the second half that he knew little about.

AARON COLLINS…6.

Produced a good finish and brought another save out of Pym but the supply line to the strikers really wasn’t good enough on the day.

Subs: Williams 4.5, 60 (for Schon) – Went close with one effort but didn’t change quality of service.

Osei-Tutu 4.5, 60 (for Dacres-Cogley) – Got into some decent positions.

Carlos Gomes 4, 67 (for Lolos) – Struggled to make an impact.

McAtee 4, 68 (for Charles) – Didn’t get anything to work with after coming on.

Not used: Baxter, Forrester, Arfield.

Mansfield Town (3-5-2): Pym; Oshilaja, Kilgour, Cargill; Bowery, Quinn, Reed, Boateng, McLaughlin; Oates, Gregory.

Subs: Evans 46 (for Oates), Blake-Tracy 64 (for Quinn), Lewis 64 (for Gregory), Waine 83 (for Boateng), Flint 84 (for McLaughlin).

Not used: Akins, Evans, Flinders.

Referee: Anthony Backhouse 6/10 – A strong refereeing performance, if nothing else. Home fans didn’t take kindly to some of the decisions made by the official but he stuck to his guns all day. Lots of free kicks, lots of yellow cards, didn’t improve the game as a spectacle.

Attendance: 8,853.

MAN OF THE MATCH – Jay Matete.

There were few obvious stand-outs on a day where Wanderers just lacked quality where it mattered. Matete battled, he tried to carry the ball forward, and after his goals against Lincoln does look a little brighter around the penalty area.

MOAN OF THE MATCH.

Football is a game of moments, they tell us, and Wanderers failed to make any of the count in their favour. Defensive mistakes, poor crossing, terrible set pieces – Bolton had the fight at times but practically none of the quality that we are always hearing about.

MAGIC MOMENT.

The move for the goal through Schon, Thomason and Collins was really well-worked. Unfortunately, it was an isolated success.

ATMOSPHERE.

A sell-out crowd made for a good noise and Bolton’s 1,700 travelling support were excellent throughout.