Bolton boss Ian Evatt on Tranmere penalty shootout, Conor Carty goal & Lloyd Isgrove return

Bolton Wanderers picked up a point in the Papa Johns Trophy after coming from 2-0 down to draw with Tranmere Rovers but lost the subsequent penalty shootout.

A Wanderers side that had 10 changes made to it from Saturday's win against Peterborough United went behind at Prenton Park thanks to Kieron Morris breaking the deadlock. Paul Lewis added a second for the hosts before half-time.

But Wanderers responded following their poor first half showing and halved the deficit through Kieran Sadlier's classy finish on the turn. And youngster Conor Carty came off the bench to ensure the clash went to penalites.

READ MORE:Bolton Wanderers player ratings vs Tranmere Rovers - Josh Sheehan, Kieran Sadlier & Conor Carty good

Lloyd Isgrove saw his penalty saved as the hosts won 5-4 to claim the extra point for a shootout victory, though Wanderers still top the Northern Group B with four points overall. After the game, Wanderers boss Ian Evatt gave his initial reaction.

What’s your assessment of that?

“First half was really disappointing. When you make 10 changes sometimes you can lack a bit of fluidity and continuity. Some of those players haven’t played a great deal of late, but it wasn’t that reason, it was purely down to for me a lack of urgency, intensity, energy, everything that we pride ourselves on and build foundations on we didn’t show first half.

“We lost first contacts, we lost second contacts, we didn’t track runners, we didn’t win duels and that’s the basics and foundations of football. You can speak about exciting passing patterns, movement, rotations, creating chances, but if you don’t have that first bit the rest of it is irrelevant and we didn’t show that first bit first half.

“We spoke about it at half-time and