Santos, chances, top six hopes - Two ups and three downs from Bolton Wanderers' loss to Plymouth

Bolton Wanderers' hopes of reaching the League One play-offs this season took a firm blow with the slender loss to fellow top six hopefuls Plymouth Argyle.

Wanderers went behind just before half-time after Macaulay Gillesphey headed home from Jordan Houghton's corner.

The hosts switched to a back four early in the second half and Wanderers looked much better for it.

READ MORE:Ian Evatt criticises decisions over Plymouth Argyle 'timewasting' in Bolton Wanderers loss

Dion Charles saw a header saved by Michael Cooper, while substitute Elias Kachunga was unable to convert a golden chance to equalise as Wanderers were unable to get back into the clash and slipped to a 1-0 loss at the University of Bolton Stadium.

The result has left Wanderers 10 points from the play-off places and means they are now firm outsiders for the top six this season.

Here, we analyse the positives and negatives from a Wanderers perspective after the loss at the University of Bolton Stadium and here's our talking points from the encounter.

Ups

Formation change encouraging string to Bolton bow

Wanderers have had tremendous success since mid-January after the switch to a back three and employing two strikers alongside one another.

Trailing 1-0 at the hour mark, George Johston was removed for Kieran Sadlier and a switch to a 4-2-3-1 and it proved to work well.

Chances did start to be created with more regularity afterwards and Wanderers perhaps should have at least got a point from the encounter had they taken their chances.

Despite the loss, it is positive that there are now more strings to Wanderers' bow and that formation changes in game can be employed in a bid to achieve success, and it nearly came off against Argyle.

Santos imperious again

Ricar