Ian Evatt believes Bolton need a “miracle” to gain automatic promotion after being held to a 2-2 Sky Bet League One draw by lowly Shrewsbury.
Wanderers twice came from behind to earn a point thanks to Paris Maghoma’s 71st-minute equaliser.
However, the Trotters are three points behind second-placed Derby with both sides having two games left but with the Rams boasting a superior goal difference.
“It is not over,” sighed Evatt. “But it is five football matches in our eyes now.
“If a miracle happens then so be it. But it is five matches to win and this team is more than capable of that.
“If we can do it at Wembley (in the play-offs), people will enjoy themselves. The time to analyse what has happened and gone wrong isn’t now.
“For now we just focus on winning five more games. It is possible (to gain automatic promotion) but we have to be realistic.
“Derby have a fantastic chance of sealing the deal on Saturday.
“Our general performance was good but we conceded sloppy goals at one end and didn’t take our chances at the other.
“There is frustration and disappointment for a number of reasons. It is a game we should have won.
“But we have said that too many times where we have lost key personnel which makes a difference.”
Shrewsbury are still not safe from relegation but shrugged off their worries to cause Wanderers problems, particularly in the first half.
Dan Udoh fired Town in front after 21 minutes, only for veteran striker Cameron Jerome’s first goal for Bolton to level four minutes from half-time.
Jordan Shipley restored Town’s lead with a stunning low left-footed drive two minutes later.
Ex-Shrewsbury loanee Nat Ogbeta missed a great chance to equalise early in the second half before Maghoma eventually saved face for the home side.
“Although we were ahead twice, it would be a bit greedy to not be pleased with the point,” said Town manager Paul Hurst.
“I am delighted with the players’ commitment to what we asked them to do.
“We knew we would have long spells without the ball. Bolton are an excellent team in possession and cause you lots of problems.
“The way we set up is one thing but the players have to carry that out.
“At the same time, certainly first half, we also carried a threat and caused them problems and caused anxiety within the stadium which is again what we spoke about.
“A point is a great result but we want to try and go to Charlton and see if we can take care of our business then it is over.
“If we don’t get something, we still don’t know our fate.”
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim and striker Rasmus Højlund: two people with uncertain futures next season. (Photo by Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images)BILBAO, Spain -- Tottenham Hotspur have won their first trophy since 2008 after beating Manchester United 1-0 in the UEFA Europa League final on a tight and tense night in Bilbao.The game was decided by a scruffy goal from Brenn...
Alejandro Garnacho seemed visibly annoyed after being relegated to the bench for Manchester United's Europa League final showdown with Tottenham.Manager Ruben Amorim decided to leave the Argentine winger out of his starting XI, and the player was noticeably late in joining his fellow subs for the pre-match warm-up. Garnacho spent a good 15 minutes on the pitch, still suited up, having a chat with ...
Ruben Amorim spoke out about his future (Image: Getty)Ruben Amorim has offered to forgo any copensation he would be owed if Manchester United bosses decide to sack him this summer. The Red Devils lost the Europa League final 1-0 against Tottenham on Wednesday night.A trophyless season, coupled with United's 16th-place in the Premier League table, has left huge question marks hanging over Amorim's ...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today.Liverpool v Crystal Palace next game Tottenham Europa league Champions Winner Arsenal🤝Man City🤝Man Utd 17th-place Spurs took the back door to the Champions League Manchester United's season: Just GOAT Things! "He let Tottenham win a trophy." Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, BleacherReportFootball, originalt...
Liverpool are set to part ways with Darwin Nunez this summer, and the Uruguay striker could be set for a move to Spain, where he previously played with Almeria. And despite interest from a number of clubs, including Serie A leaders Napoli, the likelihood is that La Liga is his most likely destination.Nunez is keen to leave Anfield this summer having had a difficult season under Arne Slot. Liverpoo...
Manchester United were beaten 1-0 by Tottenham in the Europa League final.The Red Devils, who were heavily relying on the Europa League to save their season, suffered defeat against Ange Postecoglou’s side in Bilbao.This defeat makes matters worse for Ruben Amorim and his players next season.They have failed to qualify for the Champions League next season. Not only that, they are not going t...
Arsenal have emerged as contenders to sign Rodrygo from Real Madrid after GOAL reported Chelsea are lining up an offer for the Brazilian.Arsenal exploring options to sign RodrygoChelsea also considering a bid for BrazilianMadrid reportedly demanding £85m for wingerWHAT HAPPENED?Arsenal are already holding talks about a possible bid for the winger, Sky Sport in Germany reports, with the Gunner...
Revealed: Conte's long list of demands to stay on at NapoliAntonio Conte has issued a list of demands to the Napoli board if he is to stay on as coach next season.Bayern could lose two key coaching staff membersBayern Munich and head coach Vincent Kompany could lose two key members of the coaching staff just days after reclaiming their Bundesliga throne.Chelsea in talks over move for €100m-r...
HE TOLD us so. Big Ange Postecoglou told us that he always wins a trophy in his second season. And even though it was a statement of fact, we laughed at him, we sneered and we wondered why he’d made such a bold statement when he was the manager of Tottenham Hotspur, London’s long-running comedy club. But after a terrible match, between two terrible teams, settled by a terrible goal, Po...
ENGLAND fans heading to next summer’s World Cup could be fleeced for THOUSANDS per match under Fifa plans to use a "dynamic pricing" strategy.Average costs of around £305 per match had previously been reported.But now Fifa chiefs are looking at the same demand-based pricing arrangements that saw this summer’s Oasis reunion concerts plunged into controversy.And that could see ticke...
- 1 We will see – no Unai Emery assurances over future of tearful Emiliano Martinez
- 2 Mikel Arteta ready to give his life to deliver silverware for Arsenal
- 3 Man City withdraw and Liverpool could steal
- 4 Chelsea beat Manchester United in FA Cup final to seal domestic treble
- 5 Mikel Arteta apologises for failing to deliver Arsenal a Premier League title
- 6 Liverpool cleared to complete signing
- 7 Marc Guehi to land transfer to Real or Barca
- 8 Real Madrid agree deal for Dean Huijsen
- 9 Dele Alli’s girlfriend Cindy sets pulses racing in barely
- 10 3 EPL giants have advantage in Osimhen race