Nathan Jones: ‘Positive point at Bolton shows that Charlton Athletic are progressing’

Nathan Jones hailed a “positive point” for his Charlton side after they played out an enthralling 3-3 draw with high-flying Bolton Wanderers.

The South Londoners came from behind early on and twice held a lead in an end-to-end encounter at the Tough Sheet Community Stadium.

Victor Adeboyejo fired the hosts ahead on 20 minutes, but the Addicks were level just four minutes later as debutant Thierry Small’s cross evaded everyone to fly in.

A set-piece routine presented defender Lloyd Jones the chance to sweep the Addicks into a half-time lead – just the second one they’ve held on the road in League One this campaign.

Brentford loanee Paris Maghoma curled the Trotters level shortly after the restart but Dan Kanu had the visitors back ahead just beyond the hour-mark – his fifth goal of the campaign in Charlton colours adding to the four he bagged on loan at Southend.

But former Millwall striker Jon Dadi Bodvarsson struck from close-range to secure a share of spoils for Bolton 20 minutes from time.

Both sides had chances to win it late on but the draw stretches Charlton’s winless run to 15 – the joint-longest any side has gone without a maximum in the top four division of English football this season.

The Addicks remain just a point above the relegation zone – with the sides directly beneath them both holding at least two games-in-hand over the South Londoners.

Nathan Jones said: “It’s a positive point.  A positive performance. I’m really disappointed with the first and third goals. But to come here and score three, against one of the best and arguably the best footballing side in the division, to do what we did shows that we’re progressing.

“It was a really positive performance. At no point did we look to contain. We led twice which showed that every time we had a knock we can come back and can be positive and try to win games. And that’s at arguably the most difficult place in the division to come to.

“There’s a tinge of disappointing with having led twice and certain aspects of the goal but we have to be realistic as well. That’s a positive point today, we have to get a points total to stay up and that’s a point towards it. They are tough fixtures.

“To come here, there’s no God given right that we’ll roll over Bolton because they’re a very good side. Would I have taken a point before the game? It’s a difficult one because I’m a positive person and I want to win every game, but I’ll sit on the bus today and reflect and be content.

“We’ve showed a lot of character. We’re two unbeaten now which is start. Now we have to start picking up three points rather than just one.”

The clash with third-placed Wanderers was the first of three consecutive games against League One’s top three for the Addicks.

“They’re not daunting,” added Jones.

“Everything is difficult because there’s so much meaning on them. We have to learn to come to places like this and win, be bold and dominate. Daunting – the last run of fixtures that I had was Liverpool, Brighton and Villa. You don’t get much more frightening that that. These are a fantastic side for the division, but we have to learn to handle pressure and go on and win games. That’s what we want to become.”

PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS