Steven Schumacher left sounding like broken record as Bolton and Doncaster draw

Draw specialists Bolton left manager Steven Schumacher sounding “like a broken record” after a 0-0 League One stalemate against Doncaster.

Wanderers stuttered to a 15th draw of the campaign; a fifth in seven games to stall their automatic promotion push.

Cyrus Christie hit an upright in the first half and substitute Rob Apter forced Thimothee Lo-Tutala into his most meaningful save 10 minutes from time.

But it could have been worse for Wanderers as substitute Jordan Gibson wasted a great chance to snatch victory for Rovers in stoppage time.

“It feels as though I say the same thing a lot,” admitted Schumacher. “I sound like a broken record.

“I don’t know how to put a finger on it. But it feels like a defeat because we had so much control of the game.

“Our quality in the final third wasn’t great and we didn’t work the goalkeeper enough for 24 shots, 19 of them inside the box.

“So, not to hit the target more often is disappointing. However, I can’t be too down-hearted because they gave everything.

“As long as that continues we will have a chance. It was frustrating but we are a point closer to Cardiff and with eight games to go who knows.”

Third-placed Wanderers are 10 points behind second-placed Cardiff and 15 adrift of leaders Lincoln.

Doncaster are 17th, three points above the bottom four, but given their 74-mile journey was far from ideal, manager Grant McCann was delighted with the point.

“The coach broke down on the M62 and we stood around for 25 minutes or so waiting for another one,” explained McCann.

“We were well over an hour late so it was tough for the players to eat because it was too close to the game.

“The boys could have used that as an excuse; eating cold lasagnes on the coach. It wasn’t ideal.

“We got here just in time for the team sheets. But we were very close to asking for a later kick-off but well done to the driver for getting us here.

“So, it was a good performance. We showed calmness and bravery. But we needed someone to put the ball in the net.”

Bolton failed to score for the first time in 12 games and McCann added: “We defended excellently against one of the highest-scoring teams in the division.

“I said to the players, we shouldn’t really be on the same pitch as these given what they are paying their players.

“But I told them that’s what you can do with a real togetherness and belief.”