NATHAN Jones said Charlton Athletic got “exactly what we deserved” after Leyton Orient scored twice in stoppage-time to end the Addicks’ EFL Trophy bid in the round of 32.
In front of a Valley attendance of 1,336, Jones again heavily rotated his side, with only goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer and midfielder Greg Docherty remaining in the line-up from the 0-0 draw at Lincoln City in League One on Saturday.
Matty Godden struck the post in the first half before 39-year-old former Charlton midfielder Darren Pratley went close and then Ethan Galbraith’s 25-yard shot hit the crossbar.
The game looked like it was heading for penalties but Charlie Kelman’s shot beat Maynard-Brewer and defender Thierry Small on the line in the 93rd minute and Daniel Agyei added the second two minutes later to seal it for Charlton’s League One rivals.
It was no more than Orient deserved after they had 26 attempts on goal, ten on target.
“To say I’m disappointed is an understatement in terms of everything. We just weren’t good enough, anywhere near it, all over tonight,” Jones told Charlton TV.
“I’ve never coached a side that have had that many shots against them. I’ve played against Manchester City, and they had three shots, none on target. We played tonight against Leyton Orient and there must have been sixteen or seventeen shots, not good enough. I have learned a lot tonight.”
Charlton have been struggling in the league – with only one win in eight – and host Mansfield Town on Saturday.
Jones added: “The league is always more important, but we try to win as many games as we can.
“We gambled tonight and made nine changes with people that haven’t played, we have learned a lot. That is the only thing we can do.
“It is tough when you play like you do, we were nowhere near good enough. That is not often that we have been able to say that and it is not often that I have been able to say that throughout my time.
“We weren’t good enough, we got exactly what we deserved tonight.”
