‘Excellent’ – Charlton manager Johnnie Jackson delighted to see Craig MacGillivray collect a clean sheet

Craig MacGillivray has earned praise from Charlton Athletic manager Johnnie Jackson after keeping his 10th clean sheet of the campaign in Saturday’s stalemate with Sunderland.

The Black Cats forced the former Portsmouth keeper into a number of stops at The Valley.

It ended a seven-match run without a shutout for MacGillivray, who joined the Addicks on a free transfer in the summer.

“Craig was excellent,” Jackson told Charlton TV. “The back boys did great but when they got through that you need your goalkeeper to come and help you out. We did a lot of work during the week. We accepted they will get chances but can we limit the opportunities by showing them into areas where it gives your goalkeeper more opportunity to make saves.

“They did get shots off but we forced them into wide areas where it was a narrower angle. The goalkeeper stepped up and made some important saves. I’m pleased for him because we’ve conceded a few goals and I know that goalkeepers take that pretty tough. He deserved the clean sheet.”

Jackson is looking forward to another fixture-free midweek as Charlton, who halted a run of five straight losses, head to Accrington Stanley on Saturday.

“I’m glad we’ve got another clear week because you can really focus on your training and get some good work done. That showed [against Sunderland as well]. It is another tough test up there.

“We will need that resoluteness, spirit, hard work and determination to defend your goal and box. We need to bring a little more going forward.”

PICTURE: PAUL EDWARDS