Russell Slade said:"We got ourselves in a good situation and scored a great goal but to be fair to Bolton they didn't lie down all afternoon and kept fighting back.
"But we responded in a real positive way and played some good attacking football. At times we moved the ball really well and looked a good side but it is that consistency with and without the ball we need to find.
"We are doing it for spells but it needs to be for longer spells or more consistent in what we are doing all the time.
"At times we looked a good side and at others I thought 'that is poor.' But we looked a threat going forward with Pilkington in the side and it's nice to score a few goals in open play."
Ex-Norwich star Pilkington, who makes a habit of scoring against Wanderers, was preferred to Peter Whittingham in the starting line-up.
"He has that ability to go forward and get a goal," added Slade.
"It's been a while since we won away from home so it was important we came here to be positive. And try to take all three points."
We need to back this game up now and those back to back wins which might give us the momentum going forward, confirmed Slade, generous in his praise of the opposition.
"I thought the attitude of Bolton's players was excellent. Every time they went behind there was a response.
"They were difficult to play against because a lot of their play was direct but we kept responding.
"Fair play to Bolton they tried to get the win as well. It is not an easy place to come and get a result because it is only their second home defeat."
Neil Lennon didn't blame Bolton's off-field problems on the defeat. Bolton hope to have new owners soon as another week wenty by without the players being paid.
"I don't think a resolution is far away from the club being taken over.
"The wages will get paid and the players have been assured of that. So, that's not been a distraction for them.
"But it's paramount the future of the club is safe-guarded no matter who takes over. I know nothing about the interested parties but Trevor Birch is confident something will get resolved in the next few days."
Lennon also revealed Bolton turned down a chance to sign Cardiff's first goal scorer, Tony Watt, from Charlton due to lack of funds.
"Had he been in our side it might have been a different scoreline," said Lennon of his former Celtic striker.
"I am scratching my head as to how we lost the game. I don't know how many times I've had to do that this season.
"But If you miss simple chances then you are going to give yourself a problem. Games in the Championship are about both boxes and we didn't do well enough in both boxes defensively or attacking wise.
"Three goals we conceded were schoolboy goals; basic defending not done properly. But we hammered them in terms of chances in front of goal."