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Ben Jackson hopes the biggest goal of his career so far will prove a definitive one in Wanderers’ season.
The Huddersfield Town full-back returned to Bolton’s starting line-up for the first time since February to drive home a first-half winner at Morecambe.
Ian Evatt’s side now need just three points from their final two games to be mathematically assured League One football next season.
And Jackson, who struck the shot with his less-favoured right foot, could barely hide his delight after the final whistle.
“My first touch was poor, so it took me on to my right foot and I just hit it,” he said of his winner in first half stoppage time. “It’s one of those where I have done it loads of times and missed.
“Sometimes they go in, sometimes they don’t but I love trying to get forward and get goals. It is part of my game I want to improve on.
“With the position we are in and the time of the season, that is definitely the biggest one I have scored.”
Stockport lad Jackson has had to bide his time at Wanderers, with Declan John dominating the left-back berth since his arrival in February.
But the 20-year-old stepped up after his team-mate picked up a dead leg against Carlisle, grabbing his opportunity with both hands.
“It was fairly late finding out I would be playing because Dec got the dead leg on Tuesday so it was hit and miss whether he was going to be fine or not,” Jackson explained. “Obviously you have got to prepare and be ready all the time so luckily for me I was able to get my opportunity.
“I felt comfortable. I have played a couple of times for Huddersfield’s under-23s just to keep my match sharpness up and working hard just to make sure I am fit and ready if I am ever needed so I am happy I have done that now as it worked in my favour.”
Wanderers knew they could not afford any slip-ups at the Mazuma Stadium, allowing their promotion chances to slip out of their own hands.
Jackson reckons their ability to keep a cool head in the circumstances was key to victory.
“It was a big game, everyone knew it but we didn’t want to put ourselves under pressure too much to the point where we weren’t confident to play,” he said.
“We got a bit fortunate with the red card but that’s how football goes, if you make those mistakes and get the red card, then you have got to capitalise on it.”
Jackson was also impressed with the guard of 200-plus Bolton supporters who had journeyed to Morecambe to applaud their heroes into – and out of – the car park.
“It was brilliant. Obviously we’ve not seen fans for a year and a bit so to see a few hundred outside, flares and chanting, it’s brilliant.
“I think it gave the players a lift, it certainly did for me. I think a lot of lads were just happy about it.
“It has been a year-and-a-half since any fans have been in so just to be able to see some fans outside, even though they are not in the stadium I think gave everyone a lift.
“We’re all buzzing just to get over the line and get that 1-0 and take the three points home.”
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The Huddersfield Town full-back returned to Bolton’s starting line-up for the first time since February to drive home a first-half winner at Morecambe.
Ian Evatt’s side now need just three points from their final two games to be mathematically assured League One football next season.
And Jackson, who struck the shot with his less-favoured right foot, could barely hide his delight after the final whistle.
“My first touch was poor, so it took me on to my right foot and I just hit it,” he said of his winner in first half stoppage time. “It’s one of those where I have done it loads of times and missed.
“Sometimes they go in, sometimes they don’t but I love trying to get forward and get goals. It is part of my game I want to improve on.
“With the position we are in and the time of the season, that is definitely the biggest one I have scored.”
Stockport lad Jackson has had to bide his time at Wanderers, with Declan John dominating the left-back berth since his arrival in February.
But the 20-year-old stepped up after his team-mate picked up a dead leg against Carlisle, grabbing his opportunity with both hands.
“It was fairly late finding out I would be playing because Dec got the dead leg on Tuesday so it was hit and miss whether he was going to be fine or not,” Jackson explained. “Obviously you have got to prepare and be ready all the time so luckily for me I was able to get my opportunity.
“I felt comfortable. I have played a couple of times for Huddersfield’s under-23s just to keep my match sharpness up and working hard just to make sure I am fit and ready if I am ever needed so I am happy I have done that now as it worked in my favour.”
Wanderers knew they could not afford any slip-ups at the Mazuma Stadium, allowing their promotion chances to slip out of their own hands.
Jackson reckons their ability to keep a cool head in the circumstances was key to victory.
“It was a big game, everyone knew it but we didn’t want to put ourselves under pressure too much to the point where we weren’t confident to play,” he said.
“We got a bit fortunate with the red card but that’s how football goes, if you make those mistakes and get the red card, then you have got to capitalise on it.”
Jackson was also impressed with the guard of 200-plus Bolton supporters who had journeyed to Morecambe to applaud their heroes into – and out of – the car park.
“It was brilliant. Obviously we’ve not seen fans for a year and a bit so to see a few hundred outside, flares and chanting, it’s brilliant.
“I think it gave the players a lift, it certainly did for me. I think a lot of lads were just happy about it.
“It has been a year-and-a-half since any fans have been in so just to be able to see some fans outside, even though they are not in the stadium I think gave everyone a lift.
“We’re all buzzing just to get over the line and get that 1-0 and take the three points home.”
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