Gareth Ainsworth says there is “no shame” in losing to Wanderers and felt the Whites’ quality off the bench made a big difference.

The Shropshire outfit went ahead through Vadaine Oliver but Bolton turned the contest on its head with three goals in a 20-minute spell after the break.

Ainsworth saw plenty more positives to take from the display as Shrewsbury battle to stay in the division.

“The run comes to an end,” he told the club channels. “A very good Bolton side, second half they really showed what a fit, strong outfit they are.

“The players they are putting on the pitch at the end… fair play to them. They should be higher up the league, they should be up there and Steven Schumacher has inherited a good squad.

“There is no shame in saying you were beaten by a good team. Second half, they really turned it on. Their goals were quick, slick.”

The head coach added: “Three or four months ago, I think this would have been a 4-1 or 5-1 at home. We have come back to 3-2, nobody expected that except me and probably the boys.

“We didn’t give up, we went ‘let’s get one, can we get another?’ But you concede three at home and it is difficult to get anything out of games.”

Jordi Osei-Tutu was introduced at the break, while Josh Sheehan and Szabi Schon came on for the final 25 minutes at Croud Meadow.

“We were very competitive in that first half but I saw signs towards the end of the half that they were just coming onto us,” Ainsworth continued.

“The changes they made – Sheehan on, one of the best midfielders in this league. Forino, Schon, who they paid money for.

“It is tough but we are what we are, we will get back on the horse on Tuesday against Huddersfield and give a right good account of ourselves again.

“One of the league favourites before the season, we worried them today and that is credit to Shrewsbury.”