Burnden Aces

Burton Albion 1-1 Bolton Wanderers

• August 26, 2023 | By Chris Mann
• Short URL: http://b-ac.es/c1e6c

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• Burton Albion, Dion Charles, League One, Match Reports
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• See Also

• Post-Match: Evatt on Bolton's Draw at Burton Albion

Dion Charles marked his return from suspension with a goal as Bolton came from behind to claim a 1-1 draw at Burton Albion.

Charles, who missed the 4-0 defeat to Wigan Athletic as a result of his sending off against Fleetwood Town, struck in the 58th minute at the Pirelli Stadium, cancelling out Mark Helm's opener which came inside the first minute of the second period.

Victor Adeboyejo should have scored a winner against his former club, only to be denied from point-blank range by Max Crocombe, ensuring both sides were made to settle for a point apiece.

In response to the aforementioned derby-day defeat to Wigan, Ian Evatt made three changes to his Trotters team as George Thomason, Paris Maghoma and Charles all returned, with Aaron Morley, Josh Sheehan and Dan Nlundulu all dropping to the substitutes' bench.

Bolton had never won in four previous trips to the Pirelli and it was clear in the early stages that they wouldn't have things their own way, as the division's bottom club began strongly.

The first chance arrived with nine minutes played as Bobby Kamwa pounced on some poor defensive play to run clean through on goal. After succeeding in rounding Nathan Baxter, Kamwa sent a shot goalwards, only for it to be cleared off the line.

Kamwa was involved again moments later, this time drifting in from the right-hand side before curling a shot wide of Baxter's far post.

Rekeem Harper and Maghoma were both booked by referee Carl Brook as things began to get a little gritty in midfield, after which the visitors fashioned their first sight of goal as Randell Williams forced Max Crocombe into a smart save at his near post midway through the half.

Harper pulled a shot wide at the other end, but it was Bolton who ended the half on top as they came close on two separate occasions - Charles bringing Crocombe into action five minutes before the break, while Gethin Jones would then fire over the top after latching on to a pass from Josh Dacres-Cogley.

Charles would have one final opportunity in added time, but Crocombe raced off his line to dive at the feet of the forward as the sides went in level.

There was one change after the break as Ricardo Almeida Santos, who had received treatment in the closing stages of the first-half, was replaced by Will Forrester, while the Brewers had made a switch just before the interval as Mason Bennett was withdrawn - Josh Gordon on in his place.

The deadlock was broken less than a minute after the restart and the goal went the way of the hosts as Kamwa's cross was allowed all the way through, where Helm had the simple task of slotting past a stranded Baxter from close range.

Bolton responded brightly and almost pulled level when a goalbound effort from Adeboyejo was deflected wide, while Maghoma struck over from the resulting corner.

Wanderers were back on level terms on 58 minutes, though, as Kyle Dempsey threaded a pass through to Charles, who maintained his composure to round Crocombe and shoot beyond a defender on the line for 1-1.

Baxter was at his best to deny Adedeji Oshilaja a certain goal just after the hour, with Jones also tracking back superbly to prevent Gordon from prodding home on the rebound.

Williams struck the side netting for Bolton midway through the half, shortly before Adeboyejo was somehow denied by Crocombe after a centre from Dacres-Cogley had seemingly put the goal at his mercy.

Adeboyejo was replaced moments after that miss as part of a triple change which saw Sheehan, Carlos Mendes Gomes and Cameron Jerome introduced. Dempsey and Maghoma were also pulled by Evatt.

Mendes Gomes - one of those thrown into the action - saw a bouncing volley collected by Crocombe on 77 minutes, two minutes before Dacres-Cogley drilled a ball across the face of goal and just too far behind an advancing Charles.

Sheehan took a pop at goal, only to see his strike headed behind with four minutes left to play, and that would prove to be the final act as neither side could find a late winner despite having seven added minutes from which to utilise.

A point lifts Burton off the bottom of the League One table, while Bolton drop one to 3rd as they responded to that dismal defeat to Wigan by taking a point on the road.

Next up for Evatt's side is a home clash with Middlesbrough this coming Tuesday, with a place in the third-round of the Carabao Cup up for grabs.

Burton Albion: Crocombe, Brayford, Hughes, Moon, Caprice (Seddon 90+1), Harper (Carayol 78), Powell, Oshilaja, Helm, Kamwa (Baah 90+1), Bennett (Gordon 45+2)
Subs Not Used: Kean, Sweeney, Chauke
Booked: Harper, Oshilaja, Crocombe, Caprice, Moon, Carayol
Goals: Helm 46

Bolton Wanderers: Baxter, Iredale, Santos (Forrester 45), Jones, Williams, Maghoma (Sheehan 73), Thomason, Dacres-Cogley, Dempsey (Mendes Gomes 73), Adeboyejo (Jerome 72), Charles (Nlundulu 82)
Subs Not Used: Bodvarsson, Morley
Booked: Maghoma, Thomason
Goals: Charles 58

Referee: Carl Brook
Attendance: 3,711

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