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Wanderers dropped two priceless promotion points against Cambridge United, leaving Ian Evatt rueing the absence of defensive pair Ricardo Santos and Eoin Toal.
Sam Smith’s 95th header wrecked a Bank Holiday party at the UniBol, which had been sparked by Declan John’s second-half strike.
Watched by more than 24,000 fans on Family Day, the Whites had chances to double their lead and hit the woodwork through Dion Charles.
Two points were snatched away at the death when Luke Mbete conceded a cheap free kick on the edge of the box, which eventually made its way into the net.
“It really hurt,” said the Wanderers boss/’. “They came and parked the proverbial bus, there was very little space for us to play first-half with all 11 of their players in the final third. They were well-organised but we didn’t figure it out. We were loose in possession.
“We didn’t keep the width enough in the first half but second half we were better, a lot more positive, and structurally we looked better.
“We got the goal, which was important, but crucially we didn’t get the second, and had we done that it would have been game over.
“We had the chance with Dion (Charles) that hit the post and a couple cleared off the line. So when the scoreline is only one, you are susceptible when the game actually opens up in the last few minutes and they are throwing the ball in from set plays.
“The lads we have missing at the moment are really hurting us, there is no two ways about it. You take those two players out of any squad in this division and you would feel it. We felt it.”
Evatt made four changes from the side that had beaten Exeter City on Good Friday – and defended his decision after the final whistle.
“You can say they are the wrong ones but if you carry on going to the well with the same players, those who are carrying niggles at the moment, we can’t afford to lose any more, especially important ones like Kyle (Dempsey),” he said.
“We should have had enough to beat them today. We were ahead in the 95th minute and we have to see the game out, it is really simple.
“It is really disappointing but things are still in our own hands, which is the most positive thing.”
Evatt admits he has had to make some major tactical concessions since Toal and Santos picked up injuries post-Wembley but is still positive his players can keep their play-off chase on track after dropping to sixth.
“All I can say is we will keep giving it our best shot,” he said. “There will be ups and downs but we have taken four points from two games this weekend, which most of the time would be pretty positive.
“We still have that game in hand but it will only count if you win it. At the moment we are trying to find a way to play, we are having to tweak things, the way we play, how expansive we are, because without Rico and Eoin, their athleticism and dominance we can’t afford to throw bodies forward and win duels as we have with them in the team.”
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