‘We didn’t try to kick anyone’ – Charlton boss Nathan Jones reacts to post-match comments by Northampton’s Jon Brady

Charlton Athletic’s League One relegation fears are melting away after a six-game unbeaten run – with manager Nathan Jones unapologetic about their playing approach.

The Addicks won 3-1 at Cheltenham Town on Tuesday to move seven points clear of the bottom four and up to 14th in the standings.

Tyreeq Bakinson and Alfie May scored late goals for Charlton after Daniel Kanu’s opener had been cancelled out by Liam Sercombe.

Northampton boss Jon Brady had accused the South Londoners of “kicking the hell” out of his playmaker Marc Leonard in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Sixfields.

“You should see his shins, there’s a load of blood coming out because he’s been kicked all over the place,” said Brady. “You talk about referees doing their job and protecting players – but there was none of that today.

“Charlton have gone from a good footballing side under Michael Appleton to being hugely direct and a team that’s trying to be aggressive.”

Only Portsmouth (16), Lincoln (14) and Barnsley (14) have taken more points than the Addicks (10) since mid-February.

Jones said: “I don’t want to be disrespectful to anyone. I haven’t read the comments and I’d need to read them before I said anything about Marc Leonard.

“I don’t think we tried to kick anyone. We tried to win a football game – that’s all it is. We missed chances and made a massive error to give them a point.

“We were excellent to go and take the game by the scruff of the neck there and dominate.

“We were aggressive and I want us to be aggressive. I can’t remember any untoward things.

“If they (his players) are not aggressive then I’m not doing my job. Every opportunity I get in life I want to take and go after – be aggressive and front-footed.

“I want us to be a front-footed, high-pressing and a hard-working team that makes it really difficult.

“I don’t want anyone being in the comfort zone playing against Charlton. If that is what people see then brilliant.”

The Addicks are back on home turf tomorrow against Carlisle United after three successive away matches. Charlton started that sequence with a 2-1 victory at Derby County, second in the table at the time.

Asked what has changed for the Addicks to bank seven points from a possible nine on the road, Jones said: “It is just the work we are doing – they are buying into everything.

“We’re looking solid, disciplined, aggressive and doing the basics far better than they have been doing before.

“It is a talented side. We have got youngsters coming in that add freshness and people coming off the bench really motivated to do well.

“We are nowhere near where we want to be. We are a mile off the team we want to become. In a year’s time, for example, then if I’m doing my job properly we are not coming here (Cheltenham) in 18th place.”

PICTURES: KYLE ANDREWS