Manager encouraged with side's showing despite slender defeat at the Riverside
Neil Lennon says his side’s performance at Middlesbrough was an improvement on recent weeks, though was ultimately left disappointed with the end result.
Bolton were edged out by a solitary at The Riverside Stadium, though for the majority of the game more than held their own against title contenders Middlesbrough.
Despite falling behind through Albert Adomah’s first half goal, Bolton caused panic in the Middlesbrough rearguard late on after a flurry of late chances.
“All in all, it was a good performance,” the manager said. “I felt we deserved something out of the game.
“To come to a place like Middlesbrough, and to be able to say we deserved something after our recent performances on the road, is certainly encouraging.
“Middlesbrough were the better the team in the first half, as you would expect when they are the home team, but in the second half we were the ones looking the more likely.
“We had a few chances late on. Alfie has had a sight of goal late on and we’ve had an effort cleared off the line.
“We obviously don’t like losing and we’re disappointed not to have taken something from the game, but overall it is a big improvement.
“We’ve had a difficult month, there’s no shying away from that. Injuries have taken their toll, but that’s no excuse.
“I thought we looked much better for having Emile in the team tonight. He was outstanding up top and dominated their central defenders in the air. Amos also came into the side and his presence at the back resulted in us looking a lot more composed.
“That performance gives us a bit of a platform to build on going into back to back home games. If we can take points from them, then that’ll ease a bit of the pressure.
“We were concerned after the performance at Nottingham Forest, but we looked a lot better tonight.”