Ben Garner: I understand the reception we received after defeat to Cheltenham – but that wasn’t a poor performance

Charlton manager Ben Garner says he fully understands the reception his side received following the 1-0 home loss against Cheltenham Town.

A howler from Addicks stopper Craig MacGillivray gifted Alfie May the winning goal inside the final 10 minutes.

The South Londoners are winless in five league games and have won just five of their 20 League One fixtures this term.

Garner and his side were booed from the field following a result that saw the Addicks drop to 16th in the table.

“I understand the reaction,” admitted the Charlton boss.

“I’m not silly. We’ve lost at home to Cheltenham and, no disrespect to them, it’s a game we want to win. We’ve had too many of those. We’ve been better against the teams higher in the league and we haven’t been as good against those below us in the table. That’s a recurring theme and for me comes down to mentality.

“I maintain that wasn’t a poor performance, there was a lot of good in there. There’s just elements and mistakes that we have to get out and elements we have to improve.

“There’s no-one more frustrated than me. I get it, I really do. We should have won more games. That then creates the situation that we’re in. The only way to turn it around is to work hard and improve.

“We’re really disappointed. A really cruel result, especially based on the second half. First half we started the game really well. Then had a spell where we gave them some opportunities and had to defend well in certain moments because of what we gave them.

“From the start of the second half, the first 25 minutes, we were brilliant for long spells. We pinned them back and had complete control. Stopped them breaking. It was just a case of getting a goal, which we didn’t do. Then it was a really cruel blow at the end.”

Garner avoided singling out goalkeeper MacGillivray following his part in the Robins goal.

He added: “We don’t blame individuals. We accept it collectively. We had a couple of moments first half that gave them opportunities. We eradicated them second half, we really did. It was just that one at the end. That costs you games. It’s fine margins. There’s a lot of positives in there. We have to tidy up in those areas if we’re going to get results.”

PICTURES: PAUL EDWARDS