It’s stupid if that doesn’t go down as Tom Lockyer’s goal – Charlton boss Lee Bowyer after defender’s header against West Brom is given as an own-goal

BY LOUIS MENDEZ

Tom Lockyer has finally broken his goal-scoring duck for Charlton Athletic – according to boss Lee Bowyer anyway.

The Welsh international hadn’t found the back of the net since arriving at The Valley from Bristol Rovers in the summer and the statistics will say he still hasn’t despite his part in Charlton’s second equaliser against West Brom this afternoon.

The defender rose highest to power Alfie Doughty’s cross at goal fourteen minutes from the end of an entertaining 2-2 draw with the Baggies.

The ball was tipped onto the post by goalkeeper Sam Johnstone before rebounding into the stopper’s face and dropping into the net.

The strike will go down in the record books as an own-goal – but Bowyer doesn’t believe that should be the case.

“It’s rubbish,” he said.

“It’s Tom Lockyer’s goal. He’s done everything. He’s worked hard to lose his man. Great header. And what, because the keeper tries to save it and then it went in, that’s not his goal. That happens every single week.

“It’s Tom’s goal. One hundred percent, it’s Tom’s goal. That’s rubbish if they don’t give it to him, that’s stupid.”

PHOTOS: PAUL EDWARDS