Manager Noel Hunt believed that the substitutions made the difference. Here’s what he told the Reading Chronicle.

“At home on Saturday, I thought we controlled the game for long stretches, and we controlled the Huddersfield game as well. We didn’t have much control over this game and sometimes had to play against the ball.

I thought we started well, but when Bolton got out once or twice, we sank. We needed to reinforce at halftime that when we get the pressure right, we are difficult to play against, and they demonstrated that in the second half.

“In the second half, they get a deflected goal, and Joel gets hit from an angle. Other than that, they did not have clear-cut chances, and we defended the box well.” When they score, something needs to be done.

The foul was called against us, and whether it was right or wrong, we need to start picking up the ball or doing something because when teams start and we’re out of position, it gives the team that steps on the ball an unfair advantage.

We weren’t prepared, so they got in and struck, which was deflected. “You’re looking for characters.

Derrick From the first minute to the last, I could tell he was a pillar of strength, calm, organised, and strong. He assisted Finley [Burns] as well.

I felt as the game progressed, after the goal, we had a period in which we had to stay in the game.

We eventually gained a foothold. “Someone stated that they felt they pounded us; in the first half, Joel did not have to make a save. They hit the outside of the post, but Joel said that was fine.

In the second half, they score a deflected goal, and Joel is hit from an angle. Aside from that, they did not have many clear-cut chances, and we did a good job defending the box.

Hunt on the substitutes