Reaction from manager Paul Warne as Rotherham United reclaim top spot with victory over Bolton Wanderers

Two-goal Michael Smith. Picture by Dave Poucher

ROTHERHAM United boss Paul Warne admitted he felt like a "lucky manager" after watching his team climb back to the top of League One with a 2-1 triumph at AESSEAL New York Stadium today.

Two headers from striker Michael Smith, who took his goal tally for the season to 17, were enough to see off a spirited challenge from Bolton Wanderers who were playing their first game in three weeks because of a Covid outbreak in their camp.

The Trotters wasted two golden chances in stoppage time to equalise, including a shot over the bar with the last kick of the contest.

Warne said: “I didn't think we were at our best but we were up against a really good Bolton team.

"I thought the first half was pretty even and I was disappointed with the goal we conceded.

"Second half, I thought we were really good, a bit more like us. Obviously we got the lead but in the last two minutes we could have drawn it. Thankfully, we managed to win it.

"I did feel like it was an absolute 'banana skin' game for us. We didn't have great management in the last five minutes and they could have taken a point off us.

"I stand here as a lucky manager because we could have drawn."

Smith struck in the 40th and 74th minutes, with Bolton equalising in the 42nd minute through Eoin Doyle.

"Smudge got two good goals. I thought the second was excellent. It was a great bit of football," Warne said.

Bolton manager Ian Evatt said: "I am not going to say one negative about those boys because I know what they have gone through.

"This is a tough place to come to at the best of times when you have a fully-fit squad.

"The difference on the day was just taking chances. We had two huge ones at the end. It was a magnificent effort. The players played to the game-plan as best they could given the condition they were in."