We must keep Charlton’s season alive for as long as possible – Addicks boss Dean Holden following triumph at Exeter
Dean Holden says Charlton must keep their season alive for as long as possible.
The Addicks won for just the third time on the road in League One this season thanks to early goals from Jes Rak-Sakyi and Corey Blackett-Taylor at Exeter.
Demetri Mitchell halved the deficit before the first half was over but Charlton held on to a fourth win in five games thanks to Ashley Maynard-Brewer’s late heroics in goal.
The South Londoners are still 10 points off the top six, having also played a game more than Barnsley in sixth place. They’ve now won four of their last five league outings.
Two of the three wins away from home this season have come under Holden – with his side bouncing back from last week’s loss to Bolton.
The Addicks boss said: “[The away form] was poor before I came in. I think it’s important to keep our season alive for as long as possible.
“We knew where Exeter were in the table, four points above us. All of a sudden we’re pushing up towards the top half again and then we keep moving forwards from there.
“Teams who want to have a strong season don’t lose two games on the spin. That was part of our mentality.
“We scored two outstanding goals in that opening period and were very good value for that 2-0 lead at that point. Some of our play was exceptional. We talked about coming here on a good pitch and showing the best of ourselves with the ball, which we did.
“We got a bit panicky after that. We were slashing at clearances. We’ve got to do miles better on their goal. We got the press wrong. They got through us too easily and we don’t stop the cross. He strolls in at the back-post with two players near him and it’s an easy volley into the corner.
“At that point their crowd got a bit more energy about them. There was more intent in the way they were playing. To get in at 2-1 was important. We settled them down.
“We were the better team for 25 minutes. They were probably the better team for the rest of the first half. Then the second half was pretty even. All in all, it’s been a good day for us.”
PHOTOS: SEAN GOSLING