Bolton boss Steven Schumacher disappointed with dropped points at Rotherham

Bolton head coach Steven Schumacher could not hide his disappointment on losing ground in the automatic promotion race despite his side rallying from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Rotherham.

Bolton’s long winless hoodoo at Rotherham looked destined to stretch further than 60 years as they trailed 2-0 at the break.

But a much improved second half got them a point and extended their unbeaten run to 12 games.

With just nine games left to play, they look to have left their automatic promotion push too late.

On the prospects of catching the top two, Schumacher said: “It’s going to be hard anyway because they have got such a points gap to us.

“We knew we couldn’t drop points and we have. That makes it even more difficult.

“We have played well enough to win the game but haven’t.

“We have played so well and had so many chances. Their keeper has made some brilliant saves and the ball is just not bouncing for us.

“There was a lack of composure as well.

“Credit to the players. They have good spirit but I am gutted we haven’t won a game that we’ve been well the better team in again.

“We have got to be more clinical with opportunities we get. So it feels like two points dropped.

“The two goals that we conceded were poor.

“From virtually nothing on our goal, they go in 2-0 up and we have loads of work to do.”

Sam Nombe was in the right place at the right time to force Rotherham ahead when the ball fell kindly to him from a backpost cross from Joe Powell.

The hitman struck again before the break as he was found in space by Ar’Jany Martha’s pass and smashed low past Jack Bonham.

Bolton got a goal back thanks to defender Chris Forino poking home from close-range early in the second half.

The one-way traffic continued and Sam Dalby’s clinical header, from Johnny Kenny’s cross, got them level with seven minutes to play.

Bolton spurned several chances to win it in added time with Kyle Dempsey twice coming close.

A point does little to ease Rotherham’s perilous position in the drop zone.

Manager Matt Hamshaw said: “I think if I’d been offered a point this morning I would have snapped your hand off.

“I’ve got a real admiration for Bolton as a club and team and what they have built.

“I just felt players went off the gameplan a little bit.

“We were naïve defensively and that is what I am frustrated around. We have got young defenders but they have got to learn quicker.

“Those moments have cost us and that is frustrating. We give opportunities away.”