Reading vs Bolton Wanderers. Sky Bet League One.
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Reading 1-0 Bolton
Saturday 1 February 2025 18:33, UK
New Bolton head coach Steven Schumacher got off to a disappointing start as his Sky Bet League One play-off hopefuls fell to a dramatic late 1-0 defeat at Reading.
Leading marksman Aaron Collins had Bolton's best openings throughout a lively encounter, but he failed to take his chances and Wanderers were sunk by an 89th-minute penalty from Harvey Knibbs.
Schumacher replaced departed long-serving manager Ian Evatt this week and took over after interim boss Julian Darby had led Bolton to successive wins over Huddersfield Town and Northampton.
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Collins fired narrowly wide and another was safely caught by Reading goalkeeper Joel Pereira before the forward saw a fierce third effort well saved.
Reading had created little of note going forward but almost took the lead early in the second period.
After a chaotic scramble in the Bolton area, and with the ball about to trickle over the goal line, George Thomason made a superb last-ditch clearance.
Bolton swiftly replied, with Josh Sheehan thundering an angled 20-yard free kick against the home crossbar.
Collins should have made the breakthrough near the end in a one-on-one with Pereira, but he drove wide.
And after Wanderers substitute Kion Etete was adjudged to have handled a late Lewis Wing free-kick in the penalty area, Knibbs slotted home the spot-kick for his 11th goal of the season.
