Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Preston North End - Manager reaction

The Bolton boss felt his side deserved three points despite a nervous finale in which Liam Lindsay headed over the bar at 2-1 during stoppage time.

Sam Dalby and Thierry Gale had whisked the Whites into a half-time lead, and Dalby had a good chance to make it 3-0 before Preston finally arrived in the game, pulling one back with five minutes to go through Jusef Erabi.

"That's what this division is like, it's mental," Schumacher said after the final whistle.

"From being in complete control of the game, we probably should be further ahead than what we were.

"We're happy that they missed a big chance at the end to not take our three points away from us, which I felt on the whole of the game, we probably deserved.

"That's probably what the Championship is going to be like; it's going to be an exciting ride.

"So strap in!"

Wanderers announced prior to kick-off that the stadium had sold out of available seats for the first time since Boxing Day 2011, and the large crowd was treated to a positive performance from a team lacking some key players through suspension and injury.

"We knew this was a big occasion for us today.

"It was the first game back at this level for such a long time," the head coach said.

"Something that we worked so hard for last season, to get into the Championship.

"We're then playing against a local rival, where it's going to be a sold-out crowd.

"And it's the first game of the Championship season, so there's so much riding on it.

"It was important that we prepared properly, which we did.

"And we were ready to be positive.

"And I felt the way we played, certainly in our first half, we were really good.

"And against a well-organised and fully established Championship team, we looked as though we were that as well.

"Now, obviously, there were still things in the second half of the game, especially in the last 10-15 minutes, that we can learn from and get better at, because I just felt we looked a little bit tired physically, and they got a bit stronger.

"And that's when they got their goal back.

"But overall, so positive with how the boys have handled it."

Wanderers brought new signings Ryan Hardie, Samuel Iling-Junior, and Lewis Brunt off the bench in the closing stages, and Schumacher admits the lack of pre-season for some of his players did contribute to a shaky last 10 minutes.

"Two of our players who were put on the pitch there have literally not played a pre-season game," he said.

"Ethan Erhahon hasn't played a pre-season game.

"He was brilliant to get through 90 minutes.

"Sam (Iling-Junior) and Ryan (Hardie) haven't played, really.

"Lewis Brunt played bits and pieces for Wrexham but only came in on Thursday.

"Sam came in yesterday, didn't train with the group.

"So, there's probably reasons why we faded a little bit towards the end of the game.

"And as I say, they got stronger.

"But up until that point, we probably should have been 3-0 up, if Sam Dalby slots his chance away.

"And that's what we've got to be.

"We've got to make sure we're ruthless.

"But I thought today, certainly for the first two goals, we were excellent.

"I enjoyed all of it, because you've seen a lot about the team.

"You learn a lot about the group.

"You've seen loads of good signs of what we're working on and implementing every single day.

"And then also, there's still things for you to think about we can get better at.

"But some of the performances were excellent.

"Larra (Gaizka Larrazabal), first time playing in English football, in the Championship, I thought he was excellent.

"Luca Stevenson, first time at this level.

"Josh Sheehan, I can't believe it.

"It didn't look like it was the first game at this level, but it was.

"And I thought he was outstanding.

"Thierry Gale, again, I thought he was really good.

"There were so many good performances in there.

"And I'm just so proud that they have got the three points, because they can enjoy today now and get ready to go again next week."