'Comfortably' - Bolton manager makes claim about red card and Port Vale draw

Bolton Wanderers manager Ian Evatt said his side would have ‘comfortably’ beaten Port Vale had they not been reduced to ten men.

The teams fought out a goalless draw at Vale Park after Bolton had defender Ricardo Santos sent off on 37 minutes, getting a second yellow for bringing down Ellis Harrison having already been booked for a an off-the-ball-foul on Nathan Smith.

Evatt, who was sent off at half time, was not happy with the red card for Santos but praised his players for the way they saw out the game with a man down in temperatures over 30 degrees.

Evatt told his club’s social media account: “It was an awful decision and to be honest the referee wasn’t to blame. The fourth official gave the decision. It’s never been a red card. I am really disappointed with it but there is nothing we can do, you can’t appeal against two yellows.

“There was stuff that happened in there at half time that I am really unhappy with but all we will do is file a report and see where that takes us. But for now, credit to the team, it was a magnificent performance.

“We have to show that spirit, fight and determination above everything else and if we can add some tactical and technical detail on top of that then we are going to be a really good team.

“We are not there yet, we are nowhere near where we want to be. We have a long old season to come. For now, it is rest and recuperation and get ready for Tuesday.

“We had some great opportunities, we just weren’t quite clinical enough. But sometimes when you have those moments you have to really punish them. But when you are working so hard out of possession you can be fatigued when you regain the ball.

“Maybe that was the case with some opportunities. I am disappointed because I think with 11