Lee Bowyer devastated as Charlton return from Bristol City empty handed
BY LOUIS MENDEZ
Lee Bowyer struck a devastated figure as his side were beaten by a 98thminute winner at Bristol City.
Charlton had been dealt a double first-half blow as Sam Field and Jake Forster-Caskey were both withdrawn with injuries – but Macauley Bonne edged the visitors into a deserved lead just beyond the hour-mark.
The Addicks had chances to extend their lead but were pegged back as Famara Diedhiou headed home fifteen minutes from time.
The City goal-scorer was dismissed in the 85thminute for kicking a prone Jason Pearce, but the home side found a late, late winner as Josh Brownhill finished beyond Dillon Phillips.
“I thought we deserved to win,” said Bowyer, who watched from the stands as he served the second of his three-game touchline ban.
“To come away with nothing was hard for the lads. Again, I can’t fault them. They gave everything. I thought we were the better side, especially for 70-75 minutes. They changed their shape and matched us up in the diamond and even then, I still thought we were better than them.
“I said to the lads, we have to learn from this because we have to be more ruthless. The amount of chances we had first-half. We got into so many good areas. We just didn’t punish them.
“They’re a good side but I thought we held our own. I thought we were better than them. Obviously, they’re going to have chances, they’re at home. Dillon Phillips made a couple of good saves but so did their keeper. To come away with nothing – I’m gutted.
“If we had won today we’d have gone joint second. The lads, I’m so proud of them. That’s why we’ve got to learn. In this league, that is what happens. If you don’t take your chances when you create them you always give.”
PHOTOS KYLE ANDREWS
Sorry Bowyer, the City deserved to win that game, we showed the guts, desire and commitment to keep going until the end and unfortunately, your team didn’t.