Amadou Bakayoko on scoring vital Bolton goal vs Morecambe, break in play and Wanderers attack competition

The attacker scored the crucial equalising goal in the draw against Morecambe

Amadou Bakayoko admitted his pride in Bolton Wanderers after scoring the goal which secured a point against Morecambe and kept the club's unbeaten run going.

Bakayoko struck towards the end of Wanderers' clash at the Mazuma Stadium to ensure a share of the spoils.

Cole Stockton had previously put the hosts ahead after having his penalty saved by James Trafford as Bolton captain Santos was shown a straight red card for an alleged handball in the box.

READ MORE: Morecambe 1-1 Bolton Wanderers: highlights and reaction to late draw and alleged racist abuse stopping game

But Wanderers rallied and during 10 extra minutes of play, substitute Bakayoko struck to earn Bolton a share of the spoils.

The League One clash at the Mazuma Stadium was suspended for 10 minutes by referee Ross Joyce following an alleged racist comment directed towards the Wanderers bench from the crowd and the players were called off the pitch as full-time approached, before Bakayoko struck when play resumed.

And the forward admits he has never played in an encounter quite like that one and feels the off the pitch incident galavanised Wanderers and they can build on their late heroics as they extended their unbeaten run to five matches as he paid tribute to the Bolton fans.

He said: “No, it was quite hectic. There was a good crowd, it was a good one to play in.

“What happened just galvanised us as a team.

“We felt like we had a chance. The togetherness we have at the moment is brilliant, it is definitely something to build on.

“It (the goal) was another great feeling, it was a massive point to keep us unbeaten.

“I was just proud of everyone who was involved, all the staff members.

“Every goal matters to me but getting one so late on, keeping us on that run, I’m delighted. We just need to keep going now.

"They (Bolton fans) have been a big help for the last couple of games. The last few months have been tough for them so we needed to repay them on the pitch with our performances.

“Their backing has been great. Long may that continue, and long may we keep getting points for them."

The players were taken off the pitch by the referee in light on an alleged racist remark directed towards the Bolton dugout.

Lancashire police have launched an investigation into the alleged racist abuse, while Wandererers have condemned the off the pitch issues experienced at the Mazuma Stadium, with the Shrimps vowing to work with relevant authorities to help investigate matters.

Bakayoko discussed what the dressing room message was during the break in play and how it was vital Wanderers maintained their concentration in that period which ultimately helped them claim a point.

He said: “It was strange but we needed to stay switched on. We knew the end job was to go back out and get at least a point.

“We got a few words from the gaffer. On the pitch we knew we had a good chance to get something, so it was a chance to gather our thoughts a bit.

"The gaffer tried to keep us on our toes, keep us switched on, nobody wants to come off in that situation but we kept focus and stuck it out."

Bakayoko's time at Wanderers since joining last summer has been stop start due to injuries, but has made 21 appearances and scored seven goals in that time, including the late strike against the Shrimps.

The attacker is pleased to be back available and hopes he has given boss Ian Evatt a good selection headache in an intensely competitive final third of the pitch which has been reinforced in the January transfer window with the likes of Dion Charles and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson coming into the building.

He said: “It’s great (to be back), getting the extra players in and having that competition is normal. If you are in the team you know you have to give the most to stay in it. I am happy with the way it is going.

"Sometimes you might not like being on the bench but it is the way it happens, you have to stick at it.

“The manager has got a lot of headaches but you want a strong bench, you need everyone for the whole season if you are going to achieve anything.

“We need to do everything to push each other on now for ourselves and for the team.

“I hope it gives him a good headache. The more options he has, the better the team is. And the more people who can change the game from the bench the better.

“At this moment we are in a good position, we need to carry that on.

“There are a lot of different ways we can mix it up. You need it all to get to where we want to get.

“Some of the lads who came in have gone into the team straight away and clicked, it’s a good feeling at the moment but we have to keep it up.”