WOUNDED PIRATES HOLD UP ADDICKS
AN ERROR from normally reliable skipper Jason Pearce cost Charlton, admitted boss Lee Bowyer, but Darrell Clarke was left impressed at how his patched-up Bristol Rovers slowed the Addicks’ play-off charge.
The Pirates manager is facing the worst glut of injuries since taking charge four years ago and was also without suspended midfielder Chris Lines.
Already without seven players, Rovers lost influential midfielder Liam Sercombe to a hamstring problem after only 24 minutes, forcing skipper Tom Lockyer forward from central defence as Tom Broadbent was introduced from the bench.
That put everything in Charlton’s favour as they looked to extened Bowyer’s three-match winning streak since taking charge but Rovers battled to a point.
“I don’t like to bang on about injuries because it is disrespectful to the lads brought in,” said Clarke.
“But this is probably the most players I have had out at one time. Not only that, there are members of the squad playing with knocks to help see us through.
“Liam Sercombe was one and his hamstring problem was not helped by the heavy pitch.
“Tom Lockyer has played in three different positions in the space of two games. And we saw another of our young players step up as Michael Kelly made his debut as a substitute.
“Charlton came here in great form and we have had to dig really deep.”
The Addicks clung on to sixth spot on goal difference but Bowyer was left frustrated.
He said: “We probably did enough to win the game on the balance of play, but despite that we are going home with only one point.
“I’m disappointed. I believe that whatever ground we go to in this league we should be looking to win.
“It’s better than nothing to come away with a draw, but I can’t be happy with it. Jason Pearce’s error has proved costly, but we all make mistakes and he has done a lot of good things.
“Overall, I am very pleased with the lads. There are six games left and we have to keep winning, or at least not losing.”
An error by Charlton skipper Pearce gifted Rovers a 21stminute lead as Kyle Bennett pounced on a weak header back to goalkeeper Ben Amos and shot home from close range.
But the visitors showed why they are challenging for the playoffs with some skilful attacking play and equalised just before the break.
Ben Reeves exchanged passes with Sullay Kaikai on the edge of the box and his shot took a slight deflection off Lee Brown to beat Sam Slocombe’s dive. Slocombe made brilliant saves to keep out long-range efforts from Nicky Ajose in the first half and the impressive Reeves after the break. The one real moment of anxiety for Amos came early on when he dived to his right to palm away Ellis Harrison’s low drive. BRISTOL ROVERS (4-2-3-1): Slocombe 8, Clarke J 7 (Kelly 77 6), Lockyer 6, Craig 7, Brown 6, Sercombe 5, (Broadbent 24 7), Clarke O 7, Mensah 5 (Gaffney 50 6), Bennett 7, Moore 6, Harrison 6. Subs not used: Smith, Sweeney, Telford, Russe. CHARLTON (4-4-2): Amos 6, Dijksteel 7, Bauer 8, Pearce 6, Page 7, Reeves 8, Aribo 6 (Mavididi 64 6), Forster-Caskey 6, Kaikai 7 (Magennis 90 N/A), Zyro 6, Ajose 6. Subs not used: Phillips, Jackson, Marshall, Konsa, Sarr.