Nigel Adkins hails Charlton’s spirit as his side finally claim second win of the campaign

BY LOUIS MENDEZ

Nigel Adkins says his side showed “great spirit” after finally claiming their second League One win of the season with a 2-1 triumph at Fleetwood Town.

Goals from Jonathan Leko and substitute Jayden Stockley in either half gave the Addicks their first away win of the campaign after a harrowing start to the campaign had seen them win just once in their opening 10 games.

Danny Andrew had hauled the Cod Army on to level terms with a fine free-kick shortly after the interval but the South Londoners created a number of chances throughout the contest and could have been out of sight before being forced to defend for their lives as the hosts launched ball after ball into the penalty area late on.

The result will lift some of the pressure on under-fire Adkins as his side now enter a two-week hiatus from league action with next weekend’s home game with Rotherham called off due to the international break.

Adkins said: “You can see we’ve got a great spirit amongst the players that was required right at the very end. We played good football at times and could have scored more goals than what we’ve done. Good goal from Leko. Josh Davison, the keeper just got a faint touch on it as it’s crossed to him and he missed it, then he hit the post. Great opportunity for Elliot Lee. Charlie Kirk should have scored in the first half as well. So, we’ve created good opportunities to score.

“Jayden Stockley scores the winner for us which is great, impacting it from the bench. But the spirit of the whole group was demonstrated in abundance at the end as long throws are getting pumped into the box and it’s ricocheting about and you’ve got to defend it. The players have showed great resilience again as a team and this time we’re coming away with a victory, that is brilliant.

“We attack as a team and defend as a team. We’ve got to be compact. To be fair, Craig [MacGillivray] has made a really important save at 0-0, rushing out quickly for the through ball.

“The lads created good opportunities to score and defended very resolutely at the very end. Great spirit from the players and a real good travelling support who got behind the team.

“I see what it’s like at the training ground every day. We’ve got a good spirit and players who are honest and hardworking. Who want to improve. Obviously, results dictate a lot of things but the mood at the training ground is one where we all want to do well. This is just another part of the building blocks in the big picture.”

PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS