Nolan rues cup exit

Bolton skipper discusses 'disastrous' defeat

Last updated: 27th August 2008

Nolan rues cup exit

Nolan: Poor result

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Kevin Nolan has bemoaned Bolton's embarrassing Carling Cup exit at the hands of Northampton Town.

Wanderers boss Gary Megson spoke before Tuesday night's game at The Reebok of how he was taking the competition seriously.

His players, though, failed to ever find anything like their best form as Nolan's late goal, after coming off the bench, proved nothing more than a consolation as they fell to a shock 2-1 defeat.

Nolan had set his sights on a long cup run this season but will now have to lower his expectations for the rest of the campaign.

He said: "We spoke after the game and we cannot be happy with this performance. It was a disastrous result.

"We know as players we have let ourselves down as well as the manager (Gary Megson), the staff and the fans.

"This was a massive chance for us to go on and do something outside the Premier League and maybe get into Europe through this route.

"But it was not to be and now all our attention will have to be on the league.

"It is down to us to make sure we stay up with the big boys and keep in the top eight."

Cahill contention

Nolan took issue with referee Graham Laws for sending off Gary Cahill when Bolton were two goals behind and chasing the game.

Cahill now faces a three-match ban, starting with the home Premier League match against West Brom on Saturday for a high challenge that left Giles Coke with a damaged shoulder.

Nolan said: "I do not want to start having a go at the referee but it was harsh because Gary was committed to the challenge and wasn't going for the man.

"We are going to lose him now and that's another big disappointment for us but something we are going to have to deal with."