The Trotters squandered a plethora of chances to make life more comfortable.
But manager Evatt remained pleased with his team’s latest success to keep the pressure on leaders, Portsmouth.
“The scoreline makes it look as if the game was tighter than it actually was,” he said. “However, as 1-0’s go, that is as dominant as you will see.
“It is frustrating we didn’t add to our tally. It felt like we lacked a bit of zest but that’s understandable after four days in a busy period.
“I know as an ex-player how difficult it is to win these four Christmas games. There won’t be many teams in the whole pyramid who have done that.
“The first half was a bit of a pantomime with the time wasting. But we could have dealt with that a lot better.
“Everyone was frustrated. It was important we kept our head and stayed calm.
“We had a bit of luck with the goal but hard work puts you where luck will find you. I don’t think anyone will argue we didn’t deserve to win.”
Moon turned a clearance by captain John Brayford past goalkeeper Max Crocombe, whose three first-half saves kept his side in contention.
Albion almost snatched a 48th-minute lead through Bez Lubala before Moon’s misfortune, three minutes later.
After Albion’s first defeat in four games, Burton caretaker boss Gary Mills said: “The application of the boys was immense.
“We came with a game plan and we looked organised and structured. It is just a shame we couldn’t come away with at least a point.”
Despite the loss, Mills remained upbeat but insisted he still did not know how long his role would continue.
But he and his staff have been asked to conduct business now the transfer window has opened.
Of turning the temporary job into something more permanent, Mills added: “It is something I have not thought about.
“The chairman has asked us as a staff to organise and structure a team to go out and represent Burton Albion. Hopefully we are doing that.
“And if the opportunity came up, it is something I would think about.”
Regarding any moves for players this month, he said: “It is something we are working on behind the scenes.
“There will be incomings and outgoings and behind the scenes things are moving along nicely. My phone has not stopped ringing.”
Ashworth’s 64th-minute back-post header via new boy Aaron Collins’ first-touch assist cancelled out Devante Cole’s 17th goal of the campaign after five minutes.
“At half-time we had words that’s where Zac needed to be,” said Evatt of the West Brom loanee’s positional acumen.
“There had been some good balls flashed across the face to the back post where he was late arriving.
“When Zac does arrive at the right time he can score goals. That’s what we expect from our wing backs.”
Barnsley could and probably should have been out of sight before Ashworth netted for a second successive weekend.
Nathan Baxter made three superb saves before the hour notably smothering a close-range effort from Cole.
““On reflection it’s a positive point after going behind, considering what we have been through with the turbulence of the window, injuries, suspensions, players returning from injury and other playing with niggles,” added Evatt.
“In the first half we had large spells of control and dominance but conceded a poor set-piece goal that gave them a huge lift. But we wrestled back control of the game.”
Barnsley knocked Wanderers out of the League One play-off semi-finals last season and manager Neill Collins was disappointed not to leave with all three points.
“It says a lot about our performance that you go in the dressing room at the end and there was disappointment,” said Collins.
“We came here thinking we could win. Bolton are going to be very strong, with games in hand and they are going to be challenging for that top spot.
“But we have shown recently against Peterborough,, Oxford and Bolton – all away – that we are a match for everyone.
“We have got to show that same level of performance every game.
“The plan coming out second half was to get the second goal. We came out in the second half and created a barrel load of chances against a very good side.
“Had we scored one of those I think we would have gone on and won the game.
“When you are on top like that, you think ‘we need to get it now’ and it was disappointing we lost a goal to their first attack in the second half.
“We could have prevented it but I thought to a man we were very good. I believe if we perform like that between now and the end of the season we will put ourselves in a good spot.”
Dion Charles struck just before half-time to ensure the Trotters’ rise from seventh with 17 points – the same tally as Vale, who dropped to sixth as a result.
“I think the first half was excellent from our perspective,” Evatt said.
“The slight criticism and critique would be that we should have got more than one goal.
“But we had a lot of control, a lot of domination, which at a place like this isn’t easy to do.
“They’re a good team, they’ve improved a lot since they’ve been promoted.
“Second half, yeah – you can’t come here and expect to have it all your own way for 90 minutes.
“There’s going to be spells where your backs are to the wall.
“They’re going to put you under pressure and the adversity that we came through second half (was fantastic).
“The intelligence with our defending, but the bravery and courageousness, the way we put our bodies on the line and defended our box.
“You have to do that to get results away from home, but in particular here and we did that superbly well.”
Charles scored the winner in the 43rd minute, breaking through and finding the bottom corner with his left foot.
Vale nearly equalised moments later, but Ben Garrity’s effort was well saved by Nathan Baxter.
Randell Williams threatened to double Bolton’s advantage in the 53rd minute, forcing a good stop out of Connor Ripley after a long, mazy run.
Kofi Balmer headed just wide from Conor Grant’s corner as Vale pushed for a leveller, but it was not to be for the hosts.
Valiants boss Andy Crosby felt it was the proverbial game of two halves.
“If you give them too much room to play, they can do what they did in the first half, which is spend a lot of time in possession and we had to do a lot of running because the pitch was too big,” he said.
“We had to do a lot of chasing and then, when you get the ball back, you’re invariably more tired than you are normally.
“And we probably turned the ball over more than we have done recently.
“But the response of the players in the second half – we got on the front foot, we were more assertive, we were more aggressive – both with and without the ball and we penned them back for long periods of time.
“It was probably like what they did to us in the first half and we just couldn’t create that clear-cut opportunity to get ourselves back in the game.”
Williams scored for the first time since last February while the former Exeter and Hull player’s shot also led to Northern Ireland international Dion Charles opening Bolton’s account.
Sam Hoskins’ sixth goal of the campaign midway through the second half gave Town an unlikely sniff of a point, leaving both managers frustrated.
“It is a good job Randell did score,” said Evatt as Bolton climbed to fourth, albeit five points outside the top two.
“Had he rolled it across the face there were three strikers waiting to tap it in. They wouldn’t have been too happy (had he not scored).
“But credit to Randell, he finished it off well. For the first goal Dion sniffed the chance but Randell was in a good position taking the shot which we know he can do.”
Two-nil up in 16 minutes, the home side failed to capitalise as Evatt recognised.
“The first had was as good as we have played this season,” he said. “Some of our approach play was excellent.
“So, when we smell blood we need to finish the game off because 2-0 is a funny scoreline.
“We have to develop a ruthless streak but we are only going to get that stage by learning.
“All the messages we gave at half-time went out of the window because of the way we started and it spread throughout the team.
“We were loose and kept turning over the ball. It wasn’t just one player it was everybody.
“They got a momentum and there was a feel of nerves. We go back into ‘see the game out mode’ which isn’t really us.”
Town boss Jon Brady was left to rue his team’s poor start.
“Overall, it was frustrating we didn’t get a point from the game,” he said. “But you cannot start like we started against a high-quality side like Bolton.
“We were disjointed in the way we pressed but it was not meant to be that way.
“We came out of holes and they picked us off quite easily. It was too easy to get through both goals.
“It meant I had to make changes at half-time because I couldn’t accept the way we were playing. I felt the changes made a big difference.
“In the secondd half, it showed we can be competitive and the way we can play .
“You can credit them and Bolton play good football but we made it way too easy for them and that was the disappointing thing.”
Wanderers are only outside of the top two on goal difference after a 2-0 win at Charlton.
Bolton boss Evatt said: “It’s been a really good week – it’s been a positive week. To win the two games we have, away from home, in particular – a lot of travelling – against two very good teams is great credit to the players.
“It takes a huge amount of togetherness and people to buy into what we’re doing. Some players haven’t played today but they are there supporting the players. Some that have know the standards now are sky-high and when they do get opportunities they need to apply themselves in the right manner.
“It was an outstanding first-half performance. We wrestled control of the game. We should and could have scored more. They made it a transitional game second half and went gung-ho. We created so many chances and looked such a powerful team and front foot. We defended the box when we needed to.
“We created a hell of a lot. I’m delighted with the week and the points we’ve got but it’s only a week in football – we know things can change pretty quickly, so there is no-one getting ahead of themselves. We need to reset and get ready for an FA Cup match next week.”
The visitors scored twice in the space of five first-half minutes.
A short-corner routine saw wing-back Randell Williams curl in from the edge of the penalty area in the 16th minute – the Addicks were down to 10 men with Terell Thomas waiting to come back on after receiving treatment.
Soon after Dion Charles thrashed the ball past Ashley Maynard-Brewer to take his goal tally for the campaign into double figures.
Addicks head coach Michael Appleton was left unhappy with referee Geoff Eltringham.
“One goal is a wonderful finish and sometimes that happens – you can’t do too much about that,” he said.
“I get the ruling when you have got a player off the pitch. He (Eltringham) made it clear that the ball was sufficiently down that side for him not to enter the pitch.
“What made it doubly difficult was because the ref blocked Scott Fraser from being able to track the ball and it came from the side that Terell would be defending.
“Apart from the two goals, I can’t be too disappointed. I’m obviously disappointed to lose 2-0 against a good side but when it comes to xG (expected goals) we were higher than Bolton.
“That may be hard to believe but I can actually believe that. It’s easy when you’re losing to feel sorry and step away from it but the way the players reacted in the second half gives me great confidence going forward.
“There is still a belief within the group they can do good things this season.
“First half we were a little bit shy of them and weren’t aggressive enough. We probably showed them too much respect.”
First-half goals from Zac Ashworth and Paris Maghoma plus a stoppage-time double from Kyle Dempsey and debutant Nat Ogbeta saw Wanderers keep up the pressure on leaders Portsmouth.
“It looked like the team we have come to know and love,” purred boss Evatt as the Trotters avenged last October’s 3-1 defeat the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
“We looked back to ourselves and we could have had more. We are a hard team to contain when we do the things we are coached to do.
“We were incredible in the first half and waiting for the goals to go in.”
Evatt, however, was not entirely satisfied. He felt Jordan Gibson’s consolation should have been disallowed, claiming Carlisle took a throw to start the move from the wrong spot.
He also believed Bolton substitute Jon Dadi Bodvarsson’s goal at 2-1 was wrongly disallowed for offside.
“This is a tough place to come and so intimidating,” added Evatt. “I have been shouted and abused for 90 minutes but it’s part of the game and you’ve got to accept it.
“We were a little bit safe at the start of the second half, trying to protect something (the lead). That is not us.
“But their goal kick-started us back into life. We were ruthless and clinical in the last 10 minutes.”
On Ashworth’s first Football League goal, Evatt grinned: “Zac’s cross was amazing to start proceedings.
“It was off the shinpad. But the most important thing was he was in the right position and we found him in the correct way.
“Sometimes you deserve the luck you are given,” added the Wanderers chief.
Bolton looked set to move top of the table until Portsmouth squeezed home at Port Vale, while Carlisle dropped to bottom spot, only reprieved by Fleetwood’s failure to kill off Wycombe.
“There were lots of things that were wrong, in the first half in particular,” said Cumbrians manager Paul Simpson.
“We had a bit more energy in the second half with the changes we made and got a good goal from Jordan Gibson. But we didn’t do enough to go and get a second.
“The truth of it is we got what we deserved because they were the better side.
“It’s clear we don’t score enough goals, we haven’t retained the ball well enough and the goals are poor ones to give away.
“We have to do more than we are doing. We are showing we’re not doing enough.
“There were lots of things we didn’t do well enough from a group of players who I believe are better than they are showing.”
Collins, who moved from Bristol Rovers in January for a reported £750,000, opened the scoring after 11 minutes, converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time and completed his treble 13 minutes from time.
Icelandic striker Jon Dadi Bodvarsson added a brace as Wanderers closed the gap on second-placed Derby to three points ahead of the Rams’ trip to table-toppers Portsmouth on Tuesday.
“Aaron is capable of magic moments and that first goal was a bit special,” said Evatt, whose side had failed to score in their previous two outings.
“He showed why we paid the money for him.
“With all of our January signings since I have been here, it is always the second season you see the benefit of them.
“That will be the case with Aaron as well. We have signed him for the long term and we know he is capable of special things.
“He is getting used to how we play. And he is playing within the structure more now which is good.”
Bolton had won just two of their previous eight games to slip out of the automatic promotion places, but their return to form puts the pressure back on Derby.
“The most important thing was the win,” Evatt added.
“When we perform like that we are a difficult team to stop.
“We could have got more goals which is a frustration. If it comes down to that we will look back on that second half thinking we had great opportunities and then conceded a sloppy one.”
Reading played their part in an entertaining game.
Lewis Wing cancelled out Collins’ opener while substitute Paul Mukairu netted in stoppage time.
Royals boss Ruben Selles said: “Every game we play, we try to play on the front foot to apply pressure.
“Sometimes it doesn’t work and we open up spaces, like it happened today.
“But it is the way we know how to perform. It is the way we can create chances for ourselves.
“The pressure was not effective in the first half of the game and we conceded a goal. We came back to 1-1 and started to play a bit more forward.
“The penalty before half-time was a big change of momentum. If we arrived at half-time at 1-1 then the second half would be much different.
“Even at 3-1 (down) we still created chances. But the fourth goal was the one that closed the game.
“We had one of the best opponents in League One in front of us and I am sure after that game we will be better when we adjust a few things.”
All the goals came in a frantic first half, with Jordan Shipley and Tom Bayliss giving Shrewsbury a commanding lead after only five minutes.
Sam Smith reduced the deficit four minutes later, with Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan making it 2-2, but Tom Bloxham regained Shrewsbury’s lead deep into first-half stoppage time.
“Those first few minutes, it just cannot happen,” Selles said. “We need to analyse why we started so slowly.
“And we must make sure that we do not repeat the same mistake in the future.
“It’s so frustrating. It was a very uncharacteristic way for us to start the game. We have not seen that from the team in a long time.
“In those minutes, we conceded two goals and we were nowhere near in what should have been our actions against them.
“It was all about the way in which we managed those moments.
“But after that, we showed the team that we are. We scored two goals. We were there, we were trying to build it all up.
“But then we go and concede another goal straight before half-time.
“In the second half, we created good situations. We should have put the ball in the net, but we didn’t. So, at the end, it was all very disappointing.”
Shrewsbury are now five points clear of the relegation zone after new head coach Paul Hurst’s second win in six matches since taking charge for a second time.
“We had to kind of win it in a different way,” Hurst said. “We changed tactics during the game.
“We got off to a flyer, got pegged back, but then showed really good character not to fold at that point.
“It’s a big stadium with a biggish crowd and to go in 3-2 up at half-time was not only very pleasing, but also a nice boost for our players.
“When I walked in [to the dressing-room], they were having a little bit of a moan at each other.
“I just said to them, ‘remember, we’re winning. And would we have taken being a goal ahead at half-time prior to the game?’ The answer was ‘yes’.
“So there’s an element of frustration in some aspects of the performance and getting pegged back. But, at the same time, you’re in front.
“We made some tactical tweaks in the second half. We gave up more possession because I felt that, when we went chasing earlier, perhaps that’s when we looked most vulnerable.
“I like to try to press, but I think that, fitness wise, that would have been too much to ask of the players.”
Goals from Stephen Humphrys and Thelo Aasgaard in the space of five minutes around the hour mark put Wigan firmly in charge at the DW Stadium.
The home side should have been ahead at the break, only for top scorer Charlie Wyke to fire against a post before he was denied in spectacular fashion by U’s goalkeeper Will Mannion.
A nervy finale ensued when, after Callum McManaman felled James Brophy in the box, Fejiri Okenabirhie reduced the arrears 14 minutes from time.
And although Wigan held on for the win, Maloney felt his side were almost their own worst enemy.
“It was probably a bit more tense than it should have been,” he said.
“But I guess that’s football, if you’re maybe not as clinical as the chances we had, especially in the first half.
“It was actually a very hard game, and it is very hard to stay patient when your opponent puts 11 players behind the ball.
“You have to be patient, and then when you get your chances, you’ve got to be clinical.
“There was a five-minute period when we went 2-0 up, and I felt we maybe became a little bit comfortable, we dropped our levels slightly.
“And as soon as it goes to 2-1 it’s game on and they can attack because they’ve got nothing to lose.
“But there was also a part of it I really like, at the end, when I see players putting their bodies on the line to not concede.
“I didn’t think we’d be in that situation, but there’s a real satisfaction I get when I see players really putting everything on the line for the team.”
For Cambridge head coach Mark Bonner it was almost a very good point on the road against a side he says “will be up there” at the end of the campaign.
“I thought it was a good game, both teams had plenty of chances,” he said.
“I was really pleased with how we started both halves, and how we finished, when we were chasing the game.
“Obviously Wigan defended their box great at the end and we couldn’t quite create, or make, one of those moments happen.
“I thought at the start of the second half we had enough moments to create some good chances and get ourselves in front in the game.
“But we haven’t stopped Humphrys cutting in off the wing and he’s hit it brilliantly.
“The second goal comes really quickly after that and that’s a tough for one for us as well, it’s poor defending really.
“We gave a really good account of ourselves, we created chances, but we were too erratic with them.
“We had a lot of attempts at goal, really good entries into the final third, but not enough of them worked the goalkeeper.”
Kieron Bowie gave the Cobblers an early lead and things turned from bad to worse for the Trotters when midfielder George Thomason was dismissed after just 28 minutes.
However, despite also seeing manager Ian Evatt sent off for an incident at half-time, Bolton rallied well in the second half and rescued a point thanks to Carlos Mendes Gomes’ late header.
On the red card, Atherton said: “I didn’t see the incident from my seat at the time but I’ve watched it back and I don’t think it’s a red card. I spoke to the fourth official and he didn’t think it was a red card either.
“I don’t know if we will appeal. That will be up to the gaffer and the club but we responded really well in the second half.
“We didn’t start the game well, we all know that, but we reacted brilliantly and to dominate the second half like we did, and get a point, it shows big character from the players.
“We’re no fools, we knew what we would be come up against when we turned up and we spoke to the players about that but we just didn’t start the game well and it grew from that.
“The red card makes it a big uphill challenge but we made the tactical decision to change formation at half-time and I thought we took the game to them in the second half and dominated the ball.
“We fully deserved at least a point and we’re delighted to come away with something.”
Northampton boss Jon Brady admitted he had mixed emotions.
“It’s a bit bittersweet really because we feel like we should have won the game,” he said.
“But we had spoken to the players about us representing ourselves better because we were disappointed with our last couple of performances.
“Today we were back to representing our normal selves and playing more like what the fans are used to and I felt that was really important.
“I thought the way we set up structurally was really good and it worked in that first half and that’s down to the players and their attitude.
“Even with 10 men, Bolton have so much quality – you only have to look at the players they brought on and they could be a Championship club by the end of the season.
“We went toe to toe with them and the game ebbed and flowed in the second half but I think we have to see it as a good point.”
The Owls manager was racially abused after his side lost their Sky Bet League One play-off semi-final first leg 4-0 at Peterborough last Friday night, with Owls chairman Dejphon Chansiri also the subject of vile messages.
Wednesday have banned the individual responsible for Moore’s abuse while also involving the police and are carrying out the same process with Chansiri’s abuser.
Moore, who has thanked the club and fans for their support, says the work to stop these types of incidents is ongoing.
“It would seem too easy, the perpetrators can create these anonymous accounts,” Moore said. “We are trying to work hard to shut these things down. People in the social spotlight at clubs are trying to work hard to shut these down.
“It is too easy but we are doing good work. There is still a lot of work to be done because it is a problem that has raised its head again.
“We want to talk about the social-media platforms as a positive and not a negative. We are trying to promote those positive messages for the next generation.
“I thank the club for standing with me. It is something for me that I didn’t see, but it was spotted, the club have worked closely with the governing bodies and they have acted really sharp on it. We have done our bit as best we can to try and combat this.
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“I didn’t read it because it is looking back and you are spending energy on something that doesn’t really need energy on it.
“I am fine, what I am going to say is thank you to all the supportive messages that have come in.
“I am absolutely overwhelmed by the support, thank you so much to friends, to fans not just at Sheffield Wednesday, all over really.”
The abuse came after Wednesday’s promotion hopes were left in tatters following the first-leg spanking and they face the unenviable task of trying to overcome their 4-0 deficit at Hillsborough on Thursday night.
The Owls racked up 96 points during the regular campaign, which would have been enough to win promotion in any of last 30 years, but Moore’s position will come under scrutiny if they do not pull off mission impossible.
Whatever happens, Moore wants to stay at the club.
“Absolutely 100 per cent, without a doubt. It’s a wonderful, beautiful club, it has a wonderful passionate fanbase and and when you see the fanbase you understand the magnitude of this football club,” he said.
“The club is to be embraced in the history, the nostalgia and what it stands for in the pyramid of football.
“To be a manager of this football club is an absolute honour and that is why I have always gone about my business working tirelessly. Over the two seasons there have been significant changes, but I have got a real love and affection for this football club because of the tremendous fanbase.”
Striker Will Goodwin put the Robins in command on 28 minutes, coolly slotting in from 10 yards out after a counter-attack led by George Lloyd to record his fifth goal this season.
Lacklustre Rovers were booed off at half-time by their own supporters but raised their game after the break and Chris Martin blasted a good chance over as the hosts signaled their attacking intent.
Right-back Hunt, making his 500th senior appearance, showed Martin how it should be done when he equalised on 50 minutes, acrobatically poking a bouncing ball beyond Luke Southwood after good work by Luke Thomas.
Cheltenham’s ex-Rovers boss Darrell Clarke’s side defended resolutely as the hosts pressed for a winner to ensure Taylor’s first home game in charge since succeeding Joey Barton ended in frustration.
The tone was set for a vibrant home display on 13 minutes as winger Luke Thomas put Rovers ahead in style, cutting in from the right and shooting left-footed beyond Sam Tickle’s dive.
Charlie Wyke drew the Latics level on 21 minutes with his sixth goal this season, tapping past Matthew Cox, but that was as good as it got for Shaun Maloney’s team.
Rovers regained the lead five minutes later when right-back Hunt popped up in the attack to head in from close range and Joey Barton’s side never looked back.
Welsh forward Aaron Collins doubled the advantage eight minutes after half-time when he smashed the ball beyond Tickle from 12 yards out.
Hunt, who joined Rovers from Sheffield Wednesday last month, turned provider on 68 minutes with a curling cross that striker John Marquis rose to nod in and leave Wigan struggling in the relegation zone.
Billy Bodin fired Oxford into a second-half lead but they dropped out of the top six after Price volleyed home an 83rd-minute equaliser.
In a quiet opening 15 minutes, Oxford had the first opportunity through Mark Harris, who was played through on goal but was denied by goalkeeper Marko Marosi.
Shrewsbury’s Aiden O’Brien received a low ball into the box from Dan Udoh on the half-hour mark, but his timid effort was parried clear by Jamie Cumming.
The U’s broke the deadlock eight minutes into the second half.
Josh Murphy brought down a long ball, went around the keeper before getting pushed wide and sent in a low cross to Harris, who laid it off to Bodin to smash home.
But the hosts equalised through substitute Price’s 20-yard volley.
Oxford came close to retaking the lead from the kick-off as Bodin had an edge-of-the-box effort pushed away. Cameron Brannagan then had a follow-up shot, but Morgan Feeney made a last-ditch clearance to edge the Shrews a point closer to safety.
Top scorer Jordan Rhodes opened the scoring before Beesley netted either side of a Kyle Joseph strike to continue the Seasiders’ fine record at Bloomfield Road, with 20 of their 27 points being picked up at home.
A chance presented itself to Rhodes from the spot after Tom Flanagan fouled Karamoko Dembele and the in-form striker lashed home the resulting penalty for his 10th goal of the season.
The hosts doubled the advantage when Beesley turned in CJ Hamilton’s cross to put them firmly in control at the break.
Sonny Carey tried his luck but was denied by a fine save from Marko Marosi, who demonstrated sharp reflexes to keep out the rebound that fell to Beesley.
Neil Critchley took off Rhodes and introduced summer signing Joseph after 67 minutes and just seven minutes later, he marked his home debut with a goal.
Beesley rubbed salt into the gaping Shrewsbury wounds, rounding the goalkeeper before slotting in to make it 4-0.
The Republic of Ireland international opened the scoring after 18 minutes and wrapped up a 2-0 win for Paul Warne’s men with an 84th-minute penalty at Brunton Park.
Potent striker Collins scored for the second league game in a row as he powered home from Nathaniel Mendez-Laing’s cut back.
After the goal, Collins was full of confidence and fired over just moments later.
County goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith was reprieved by the crossbar after he fumbled Jordan Gibson’s dipping strike.
Crystal Palace loanee Luke Plange, who opened his Cumbrians’ account last weekend, fired against a post in first-half stoppage time.
Eiran Cashin nodded wide at the back post on the hour as the visitors chased a second.
And the goal came with six minutes left to wrap up Derby’s third away league win of the season
Collins beat Jokull Andresson to the ball and earned a penalty when he was bundled over by the goalkeeper, and he duly stepped up and rifled home from 12 yards.
Orient went ahead in the 19th minute when Tom Holmes carelessly handled in the area and Dan Agyei slotted home the resultant penalty.
But Reading drew level four minutes later, Harvey Knibbs sliding in his 12th goal of the season from close range.
“The guys worked really hard and that’s what we expect them to do, to keep pushing and pushing,” Oliver-Pearce said.
“It’s a non-negotiable for us. You want to win a game of football and if that requires you to put your body on the line, they have to do it.
“I thought that we were excellent in the first 20 minutes. That’s some of the best football we’ve probably played for a while.
“We had lots of momentum and we caused Orient a lot of problems.
“To concede the goal was frustrating. It wasn’t an intentional handball but it was clear for everyone to see. These things happen.
“But our reaction to it was excellent.
“I thought that we were in control for most of the first half and, in the second half, Orient were not just going to continue to let us do what we had been doing.
“We knew things would be difficult and they made us do things that we probably didn’t want to end up doing.
“Both sides probably had a big chance in the second half but I think that, all in all, a point each is a fair reflection.
Reading manager Ruben Selles was unable to speak afterwards due to losing his voice during the game.
“His voice just went,” Oliver-Pearce said. “It wasn’t even a gradual thing. He went to shout and it had just gone.”
Orient are now unbeaten in six games.
“It could have gone either way but I thought that Reading were very good in the first 20 minutes,” Orient head coach Richie Wellens said.
“We had problems with their full backs rotating in.
“We got a bit lucky in going 1-0 up, they were the better team. We needed to change a few things tactically but they scored just when we had changed it.
“But we were pretty good after that, for the rest of the first half, and I thought that we were pretty dominant in the second half.
“We couldn’t go on and win it but Reading have got good players and they are always a threat from the front three.
“I know that Reading have had a lot of issues [off the pitch] but they’re fighting for their manager and they’re fighting for their club. Every credit to them.”
Andy Crosby’s side have now won three and drawn one since their opening-day hammering at Barnsley.
Carlisle, meanwhile, remain winless this term after promotion via the play-offs in May.
The hosts bossed the early stages, with Nathan Smith and Wilson both going close.
Eventually Carlisle replied, with Owen Moxon firing just over the top following Callum Guy’s smart pass.
Guy himself went close soon after, with his terrific strike from distance being superbly beaten out by Vale keeper Connor Ripley.
Vale thought they had scored shortly before the interval but Ethan Chislett was thwarted by an assistant referee’s flag.
The hosts did strike shortly after the restart, from the penalty spot. Carlisle keeper Jokull Andresson tugged back Chislett in the box, leaving Wilson to coolly slot home from the spot.
The lead was almost doubled soon after when Alex Iacovitti lashed a shot just over.
Carlisle almost levelled when Sean Maguire headed Jack Armer’s cross inches wide.
It also ensured a losing start for new Imps head coach Michael Skubala, whose side lacked a cutting edge that was provided to the Boro by Reid’s 14th goal of the season.
In what was an open start to the game, Lincoln striker Jack Vale had a shot saved by Taye Ashby-Hammond before Stevenage’s Alex MacDonald sent a rising effort from outside the area just over.
The hosts were denied by a superb piece of last-ditch defending by TJ Eyoma five minutes into the second half which prevented Kane Hemmings from converting Finley Burns’ header across.
Hemmings then came even closer to breaking the deadlock with just over an hour played when his effort crashed off the inside of the near post.
The breakthrough finally came in the 68th minute when a scramble following Jake Forster-Caskey’s corner led to Reid bundling in from close range.
The first half saw very limited chances for both sides, but Stevenage had a shot on target inside the opening minute when Reid – from a tight angle – fired the ball wide of the near post from close range.
Shrewsbury went close in the 20th minute when Chey Dunkley rose highest at the back post to head goalward from a corner ball, but his effort sailed just wide.
Two Shrewsbury substitutes combined nicely just past the hour mark when Tom Bayliss fed a smart ball into Max Mata’s path, who spun and got a shot off inside the area, but visiting goalkeeper Taye Ashby-Hammond was equal to the opportunity.
With just six minutes remaining, Stevenage found the opener with Jake Forster-Caskey playing a fabulous through ball into Reid, who nicely converted his 19th goal of the season in all competitions.
Steve Evans’ side remain level on points with sixth-placed Barnsley and kept up the pace with the play-off pack as a result.
