Charlton boss Garner hammers referee Josh Smith and fourth official after 4-4 thriller against Ipswich

Ben Garner launched a blistering attack on referee Josh Smith and fourth official James Oldham after Charlton’s riproaring 4-4 draw with Ipswich Town at The Valley.

The Addicks boss was sent off in the second period, straight after the visitors had gone 2-0 ahead.

Garner was left raging at Smith’s decision to award Town a free-kick and penalise George Dobson’s tackle on Dominic Ball. It led to Wes Burns crossing for Tyreece John-Jules to beat Joe Wollacott to the ball.

But Charlton twice fought back from trailing to two goals to claim a point. Four of the goals came in a jawdropping nine minutes of second-half stoppage time with George Dobson’s header sending the home support into frenzied joy.

“It shows how good we can be,” said Garner. “The atmosphere second half was unbelievable, it really was.

“Everyone in the stadium can see Dobbo has got the ball for the free-kick. To cap it off, he’s offside from the cross. We get two players booked from it and I got sent off – from the referee getting a decision completely wrong.

“They need to look at themselves. It was like being back at school with the fourth official, every time I tried to speak to him it was like a kid saying he’s going to tell his mum about you. Just stand up and have a conversation – be a man.

“It’s probably a ban and a fine, I don’t know, I’ve never been sent off before. I don’t want that to overshadow what was such an incredible team effort and incredible atmosphere here this afternoon.

“I don’t need a replay. He gets all of the ball – a perfectly-timed tackle. And for the cross he is a yard offside. You can’t get those decisions wrong. There are livelihoods on the line. How much effort we’re giving and the standard of refereeing is nowhere near good enough.

“The referee today spent most of the time before the game telling my staff that he’s a Championship referee. The EFL need to look at that, if that’s the case. He’s not good enough for League One.”

Garner initially refused to leave his technical area, standing on the halfway line and asking Smith to come and talk to him.

When he finally did exit, the former Swindon and Bristol Rovers boss implored the home support to get behind his players.

“I was frustrated and there was some energy and noise from the crowd – I just went with them,” said Garner. “It rose and rose. I wanted to show how much I value them and my passion, how much it means to me.

“They responded. We don’t get that result without the crowd, we don’t. Not a chance. That emotional energy was so, so important in the game. It shows what a special atmosphere we can create here.

“To do what we did was special.”

PICTURE: PAUL EDWARDS