Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Cardiff City - The player match ratings

TEDDY SHARMAN-LOWE…7.

Kept his wits about him with one cross-shot in the second half but didn’t have to make a conventional save. He did, however, join in with the possession game when needed.

JOSH DACRES-COGLEY…7.

Showed willing pushing forward and put a good ball in for Burstow in the first half. Crucially, though, he never stopped pushing on – even to the end.

EOIN TOAL…8.

Produced the forward momentum in the final minute which led to the goal but his pace and reading of the game was key to the victory on the day.

GEORGE JOHNSTON…7.

Tidy on the ball and picked off the majority of the threats which came into the Bolton box. One of his most solid performances of the season.

MAX CONWAY…7.

A lot of focus on his performance. Cardiff were especially strong down their right side but Conway got through the game without any major issues.

XAVIER SIMONS…7.

Disciplined, used the ball well, helped Wanderers absorb the pressure they were subjected to on the ball. Few shots on goal too.

JOSH SHEEHAN…8.

In a pure football game, there aren’t many better at League One level. Tactically spot on, and snapped into challenges whenever Cardiff threatened.

AMARIO COZIER-DUBBERY 7.5.

Looked positively knackered at the end but still managed to come up with a winner. When will they learn not to let him on to his left foot?

MARCUS FORSS…6.5.

Couple of classy moments in the first half but didn’t really get into things after the break, prompting the switch with Dalby,

JORDI OSEI-TUTU…6.5.

His defensive instincts helped to keep Cardiff pinned back and though not everything worked out in attack, he worked himself to an absolute standstill.

MASON BURSTOW…6.5.

Had one decent chance to score with a snap-shot from Dacres-Cogley’s cross in the first half but he worked really hard for the cause.

Subs: Dalby 6.5, 65 (for Forss) – Provided a bit more presence up front.

Randall 75 (for Burstow) – Linked up well and had one decent chance.

Taylor 76 (for Conway) – Got to the speed of the game really well.

Morley 88 (for Simons) – Straight on the front foot.

Not used: Cissoko, Forino, Miller

Referee: Ben Toner 6/10 – For the most part, the game was broken up too much with the sound of the referee’s whistle. No glaring errors, though Bolton’s shout for a penalty in the first half felt like a good one.

Attendance: 22,587.

Cardiff City (4-2-3-1): Trott; Ng, Fish, Lawlor, Bagan; Turnbull, Robertson; Kellyman, R Colwill, Davies; Salech.

Subs: Nyakuhwa 65 (for Kellyman), Ashford 65 (for Davies), Wintle 77 (for Robertson), Kpakio 77 (for Bagan), Robinson 83 (for Salech).

Not used: Chambers, J Colwill.

MAN OF THE MATCH – Eoin Toal.

Though Josh Sheehan rivalled him for the man of the match accolade, the Derry defender was at his imperious best against Cardiff. His reading of the game, pace on the recovery and strength in the air were a major part of Bolton’s success.

MOAN OF THE MATCH – For a while it looked like the main gripe would be the lack of threat on the Cardiff goal. It was that type of game.

MAGIC MOMENT – Amario Cozier-Duberry looked out on his feet for the 10 minutes before the winning goal. Funny how a brilliant stoppage time winner spurred him on for some memorable celebrations. A talent Wanderers need to appreciate in the time we have him.

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