LOOKMAN LEVELS IT LATE FOR ADDICKS
Bolton held to first draw
CHARLTON Athletic manager Russell Slade praised his side’s character as Ademola Lookman’s 90th-minute goal ended Bolton Wanderers’ 100 per cent start to the League One season.
The Addicks were forced into a major reshuffle early on when they lost captain Johnnie Jackson to injury, with right-back Chris Solly having to slot into midfield and centre-back Ezri Konsa shuffling across to fill the gap.
Despite then falling behind to the in-form Wanderers, Slade’s men rallied to grab a deserved point at the death.
“We were looking for the performance and I think we got that over the 90 minutes despite the obstacles and challenges of the game,” said Slade.
“They [Bolton] are a settled side. Eight of those played in the Championship together last season, with three changes from what I believe would be a typical Bolton side in the Championship.
“From our point of view, we’re still building and we’ve got new partnerships in most areas of the pitch.
“I thought we created the better chances and openings overall and I can’t think of too much Dec [Rudd] had to do in the second period if I’m honest.”
There was only one chance of note in a dull opening half-hour, Bolton goalkeeper Mark Howard thwarting Nicky Ajose after Ricky Holmes’ pass threaded the striker through.
The visitors were happy to let Charlton have possession and although Holmes’ roaming runs and the strength of Josh Magennis caused some discomfort, Wanderers’ centre-back pairing of David Wheater and Mark Beevers marshalled proceedings well.
The best opportunities of the first period occurred in quick succession at the end of the half. From a Holmes free-kick, Jason Pearce headed inches wide with Howard rooted, before Wheater saw Solly clear his effort from a corner off the line.
Bolton’s Mark Davies was stretchered off with a knee injury just after the restart, but Wanderers were unfazed and broke the deadlock almost immediately. A ball down the left flank opened
Charlton up and Liam Trotter pounced, cutting the ball back for Gary Madine to tap in.
As Phil Parkinson’s side sat back to protect their lead, Charlton’s struggles to find a way through continued despite Holmes’ ongoing endeavour and the trickery of substitute Lookman.
Just as two tame Magennis headers appeared to be the most that Athletic could muster, the outstanding Lookman dragged the ball across the face of the Bolton penalty area before rifling a terrific left-footed shot past Howard from 20 yards.
Slade’s men weren’t content, however, and Brandon Hanlan almost snatched maximum points when he nodded into the sidenetting from another Holmes set-piece.
Bolton’s former Charlton manager Parkinson was pleased to come away with a draw but, with Davies possibly ruled out for some time and Darren Pratley and Zach Clough already sidelined, is now concerned by his team’s injury situation as they remain restricted by a transfer embargo.
“When you go a goal up, you hope you can keep hold of the three points,” said Parkinson.
“But it was a terrific strike from the lad and sometimes you’ve got to give people credit for a bit of quality and he certainly showed that.
“This is a tough place to come. Charlton are a good side and have a lot of Championship-quality players, so overall we’ll take the point.
“We’ve had some bad luck so far this season with injuries. We’ve got three or four days now to see if the Football League will be kind to us and let us extend the restrictions of the embargo because otherwise we’re going to be really short of numbers as we go into this first part of the season.”