Inigo Calderon insisted that his Bristol Rovers side didn’t just come to Bolton for a point – and felt they had the game “under control” in spells.
Aaron Collins produced the decisive moment against his former club as Steven Schumacher’s side secured another important three points in the play-off race.
Rovers’ poor away record continued and the Gas remain three points above the relegation zone as they battle against the drop.
“I think it was a game of two halves,” said Calderon. “In the first half we were better. I think we were under the control of the game, maybe not having too much possession but we were under control of the game.
“I don't think they created chances. It's true that we didn't, but I think the game was there to get one maybe from a counter or something. But in the second half, we started to struggle a little bit more.
“Probably physically and mentally we couldn't keep them disciplined to do things right. The goal was not like they were coming massively against us.
“It was just a situation that we couldn't keep the ball because we started to feel a bit tired and then they attacked better.
“But overall, I think it hasn't been a bad game. The last games we have played away, this is probably the best one we’ve played so far.
“I would prefer to see it as a positive but obviously it was another defeat. Now it's not about how you feel, it's about what you get and obviously we didn't get anything today.”
The visitors had a big chance to equalise after Collins’ goal, but Nathan Baxter produced an important save to keep out Matt Butcher’s header.
“Until (the goal) we didn't create too much,” Calderon added. “We didn't come here just to get a draw, we came here to win the game.
“But it's true that after you have to adapt and, as I say, I think the game was under control.
“When they scored, we were a bit more aggressive obviously because we were losing and maybe because they were a bit more defensive.
“Then we created something, a couple, not too many, but maybe another day it would be enough.
“As I've been saying, we have to do a lot of things well because when you are down there, the luck is not going to come to you.”