For The Fourth Match In A Row, Owen Coyle Rues Penalty Decisions

Four games, four penalties for the opposition. Bolton Wanderers had more than a decent shout for a penalty of their own in each of the matches through opposition handball or a Bolton player being brought down in the box and yet nothing was given. Two of those penalties led directly to Bolton losses, one to a draw, and one that Bolton managed to regain the lead from. In what seems to be a recurring theme, manager Owen Coyle once again disagreed with the referees decision (and lack thereof).

"The first one should have been given on Keith, when he was totally upended, but it's so obvious. We had a stonewall decision. And then you get to Leeds. I'm loath to call it a soft award because it wasn't even that. Soft doesn't do it merit.

"But our performance level in the first half was outstanding, in terms of passing and the chances we created.

"Leeds like to play for free-kicks in the final third and we got caught with one just before half-time and we went in feeling aggrieved. Then you had the alleged challenge for the penalty. It should have been three points tonight, but we need to keep banging on the door and decisions can't go on being as cruel as they are. But we will take our medicine and come through the other side smiling."

Coyle also praised Super Kevin Davies, whose brace was enough to earn Bolton an arguably deserved point (and enough to earn our man of the match):

"I think Kevin Davies epitomised everything about the football club, not only in the way he took his goals, but his all-round play. "

Finally, Owen added his thoughts on the match itself:

"Leeds United will leave tonight wondering how they got a point. There's no doubt that anyone watching that game will have realised how big the gulf was between the two teams.

"Some of our play was outstanding and we probably could have secured the win, accepting that El-Hadji Diouf had a chance in the last minute.

"There's no doubt that we responded well to going behind and we need to maintain that standard from now on.

"We want to be sitting in the pole positions - we're not there yet, but we will be."