Dean Holden said he had to be careful with how he measured his half-time teamtalk during Charlton’s win over Burton

Charlton boss Dean Holden did not lay into his side for only taking a slender lead into the break against Burton Albion, despite dominating the first half.

The Addicks were 2-0 up inside 16 minutes thanks to a Jes Rak-Sakyi brace. His first came thanks to an impressive dribble towards the edge of the area coupled with a low drive beyond the returning Craig MacGillivray.

He doubled the lead after latching on to Scott Fraser’s ball through and slotting past the former Addicks stopper.

Burton were back in it when Michael Hector and Ashley Maynard-Brewer collided as the goalkeeper looked to grab a free-kick that was floated into his area. Sam Hughes hooked the loose ball home.

The two-goal advantage was restored five minutes after the restart. Tyreece Campbell drove to the byline and squared for Macauley Bonne to score for the second home game in succession.

The Brewers cut the deficit again 15 minutes from time as Josh Walker flicked home from a corner, with the ball crossing the line before Albie Morgan could hook it clear.

Substitute Jack Payne was given his marching orders after picking up two yellow cards within five minutes late on, before Maynard-Brewer ensured the Addicks held on for all three points with a strong save from Joe Powell’s late shot.

Holden said he had to think carefully about how he measured his half-time teamtalk after the setback just before the break.

“Psychologically at half-time we needed to get that bit right,” said the Addicks manager.

“I’ve played for managers and worked with managers as a coach where at half-time you’re coming in and the anger, of only being 2-1 up when you should be out of sight, could take over. (You get] cups of tea thrown about.

“I chose to go the other way. That was a five second moment inside 48 minutes which we didn’t get right. We had to focus on what we had done well and how we’d hurt them.

“There was so much to like about our performance. We started the game really well. Jes, I find myself saying this every week, his first goal was outstanding. He’s come inside, chopped and taken two of them out of the game. A wonderful finish, passing it into the corner.

“Second goal, Scotty Fraser travelled up the pitch. A lovely ball into Jes’ path and he’s rocked the defender and another good finish. We’ve had our chances. Jes could have had a hat-trick in the first half. We could have come in three or four nil up.

“We get it all wrong in terms of their goal back before half-time. It’s a mistake, a mishap defensively. That stadium was dumbfounded at that point, how on earth are we only 2-1 up at half-time?

“Some of our passing, they couldn’t get near us but, at the same time, we had a purpose. I was really pleased with the performance in the first half.

“We wanted to get the third. A cross from Tyreece down the left. It fell for Macauley Bonne but it fell for him because he’s in the right position. Two in two [home] games for him is really important.

“We should have been home and dry but we conceded from another set-piece. We need to improve on that as it’s hurting us.

“We finished with a really young team. From an experience point of view for the youngsters, that’s fantastic. I would have loved it to be more comprehensive, four or five which maybe we deserved, but the experience will stand the youngsters in good stead.

“It’s pleasing to put that Bristol Rovers defeat to bed. To jump up to 10th position – it’s nowhere near where we want to be next season  – but for this season that’s a positive.”

PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS