Bolton Wonderers Has Spoken ‘Clear’ About Their FA Cup Loss, What To Know

WANDERERS were dumped out of the FA Cup by League Two Walsall thanks to a dramatic late strike from Jamie Jellis.

Bettered for much of the second half, the Whites had managed to get themselves ahead through Josh Sheehan’s 55th minute free kick.

But some poor defending from a free kick launched into the box by keeper Tommy Simkin allowed ex-Bolton wing-back Liam Gordon to power home an equaliser.

Walsall didn’t look back after that, and got the winning goal their pressure had deserved when Wanderers didn’t deal with another long ball, Nathan Lowe laying off to Jellis to score the winner in the 90th minute.

Wanderers made five changes to the team which beat Stevenage, Dion Charles, Scott Arfield, Will Forrester, Klaidi Lolos and Randell Williams all returning.

Evatt had hinted that he would rest some of his key players with the league game next weekend at Stockport County in mind but, if anything, there were some eyebrows raised before kick-off that he hadn’t sacrificed more of his regulars.

Bolton were nearly caught out in the first minute as Jamie Jellis side-footed wide from Liam Gordon’s cross and though they gained control of the game for the next 15 minutes, it would not be the last time the Saddlers let them off the hook.

Randell Williams, playing on the right, had one early chance deflected wide, and Wanderers looked dangerous down the left with Szabi Schon and Lolos combining well.

Charles’s pace also caused the home side problems, and nearly earned him the first goal when he sprung the offside trap only to be thwarted by a fine save from Tommy Simkin

George Johnston hit the bar with a looping header from Josh Sheehan’s cross, and just a few minutes later the captain was back on his own line, heading away brilliantly from veteran Albert Adomah.

Sheehan also went close for the Whites, a dipping shot that fooled some of the travelling fans behind the opposite goal into thinking it had hit the back of the net.

Scott Arfield had a big shout for a penalty turned down after claiming he had been shoved by Connor Barrett but Walsall ended the half strongly, and after Johnston’s superb clearance, Jellis and Nathan Lowe both sent efforts dangerously close, leaving the home supporters feeling optimistic at the start of the second half.

Walsall’s confidence was momentarily stopped in its tracks 10 minutes into the second half when Scott Arfield was poleaxed by Harry Williams 25 yards out, and Sheehan curled the resulting free-kick past Simkin for the opener.

The good mood lasted just four minutes, however, as Simkin lumped a free kick in from the Walsall half and Bolton’s defence seemed to stand still, old boy Liam Gordon pouncing on a chance to power a shot past Southwood.

That lit the touchpaper for the Saddlers and they pushed hard to find a second – Jellis shaving the post with one curling shot, Taylor Allen and Barrett both forcing Southwood into emergency action.

Evatt sent on John McAtee, Aaron Collins and Victor Adeboyejo to try and change the course of the game back in his side’s favour – but to no avail.

Home defender Harry Williams took a nasty knock against the advertising boards, leaving the pitch with a head wound.

And as the game veered towards extra time, another deep ball from Simkin caught Bolton flat-footed, Nathan Lowe teeing up Jellis for a knockout goal.