Ian Evatt hailed a “very special” 100th win as Bolton boss after Aaron Collins’ stoppage-time goal sealed a 2-1 victory at home to Blackpool.
Collins’ left-foot strike four minutes into added time followed a 53rd-minute equaliser from former Blackpool youth player George Thomason, back in the team after a seven-game hamstring injury lay-off.
Striker Kyle Joseph had put the visitors in front with a 33rd-minute header, but Steve Bruce’s side were unable to hold on for what would have been only a second win in 11 league and cup games.
“At this time you forget the other 99,” said former Blackpool defender Evatt. “I think everyone else does as well.
“But it is very special and I have managed to do it against a club I have a huge amount of admiration for.”
Evatt admitted Wanderers were not at their best in the opening half, struggling to shake off their recent 5-0 mauling at Stockport.
He added: “Sometimes in football you get what you deserve and sometimes you don’t. But I thought in the second half we deserved to win the game.
“The first half was edgy. We looked nervous and looked like we had a lack of belief.
“When you suffer heavy defeats and feel pressure that can happen. We have had some low points here and we have had some hurtful defeats.
“But this group of players, myself and my staff have found a way to respond. We responded again today.
“We all want the same thing – to do well for this club. We are all working towards that one common goal and, when we are working towards it together, we can be a force.”
Thomason netted a stunning winner in last season’s corresponding game and Evatt was full of praise for his returning skipper.
“He had only trained for three days, but you can just see what he gives us,” he said. “That lad is an absolute gem.”
Blackpool boss Steve Bruce lamented another late collapse by the Seasiders.
“We have done it too many times and it has cost us badly,” he said. “That’s three or four times we have conceded in the last minute.
“We are as frustrated as hell and it is something we need to address. When you are on a run like ours everything goes against you.
“Their equaliser was one smashed into the top corner from 25 yards. We went looking for the winner, but we were naive in our defending and how we left ourselves open to the counter-attack.
“It is something we will look at and try put right. We must improve that’s for sure.
“We are going through a tough period. It can change that’s for sure, but we need to turn it around quickly. And I think we have a good enough squad to do that.”
