NATHAN Jones hailed a “fantastic point” despite his side surrendering the lead twice in a riveting 3-3 draw at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.
Charlton led 2-1 at half-time after goals from Thierry Small and Lloyd Jones following Victor Adeboyejo’s opener for Ian Evatt’s hosts.
Paris Maghoma levelled six minutes into the second half before the Addicks led again when Daniel Kanu scored on 61 minutes.
But former Millwall striker Jon Dadi Bodvarsson struck in the 71st minute to deny Charlton a first League One win in fifteen games.
Jones revealed the squad travelled a day early to Bolton to prepare for the fixture. The Addicks trained at Everton’s facilities before the game.
“We came up Thursday so we thank the club for backing us in terms of taking away any fatigue. We gave it a right, right go,” Jones said on Charlton TV.
“I think the supporters going away today would think this is a side again that we’re building something.
“It is a fantastic point,. We never sat back or were content with anything. We kept going, and we were unlucky not to win it with Chuks’ [Aneke] chance as well. You can see a real positive performance.
“In terms of endeavour, in terms of attacking threat, I’m absolutely delighted.
“We were dominant in midweek at home, and you expect that. I want us to do that. But then to back it up with the level of performance that we did today, with the young team, was fantastic. We’re showing that we can be consistent, because that’s two unbeaten now.
“We’re showing that we’re not losing games – now we have to win a game.”
Jones added: “[Daniel Kanu] and Karoy Anderson, for the ages – 18, 19 years of age and putting in the performances that they did today – truly outstanding.
“This club’s got a great history of producing young players. I came here and I benefitted from the wonderful conveyor belt of talent and athletes that they produce at this football club. And you see it come through today.
“The two young boys, because they’re Charlton born, bred and developed, it’s always nice for them to do well.”
Small made his debut after his winter transfer from Jones’ former club Southampton.
Jones said: “His first contribution was to put [Victor] Adeboyejo clean through. But he recovered really well. To have a debut that lasts 90 minutes at a really good side like this shows he’s looked after himself. And then to get a goal was a dream for him.”
Evatt, meanwhile, was unhappy about the third goal, feeling referee Ross Joyce should have stopped the game after a head injury to Josh Dacres-Cogley.
Dacres-Cogley was able to finish the game.
“I’ll try not to get myself into trouble,” he said. “I think first half it was bitty. There were parts that were good, parts that weren’t.
“Second half was better, much more like us. When you score three goals at home you should win the game and we conceded two really poor ones.
“The third was one crazy. I don’t understand it, even though I spoke to the officials.
“He has clearly landed on his head, he was clearly holding his head. He is down on the floor and we know the impact of head injuries and how serious they can be.
“The referee has told me he sat up. I watched the footage back because I had the benefit after the game and he didn’t, at any stage. The ball fell in the vicinity where Josh would be and a few ricochets later it was in the back of our net.
“It is baffling considering what happened with their goalkeeper at the end. It doesn’t matter if it is a head injury or not, it is not a head injury, so it is contradictory to what we saw earlier in the game.
“And it isn’t just that, there were so many things. I am trying my hardest and fighting with myself not to criticise officials but I have clearly heard bad language used towards and directed towards officials today and there was no punishment. Last week I got sent off for something which was completely different to that.
“That is why I am frustrated, it feels like the world is against us, even though I know it isn’t.
“We have to just keep our heads down and keep marching forwards.”
