Charlton boss Ben Garner after 3-3 draw at Burton: ‘We’re running on fumes at the moment’

Charlton boss Ben Garner said his patched-up squad were ‘running on fumes’ during the 3-3 draw at Burton Albion this afternoon.

The Addicks opened up a two-goal lead during the first-half thanks to a brace from Charlie Kirk but were pegged back to 2-2 by League One’s bottom side before the interval.

Victor Adeboyejo rifled in a third for the Brewers but Crystal Palace loanee Jes Rak-Sakyi rescued a point for the South Londoners inside the final 15 minutes.

Garner said: “A tough game. We’re in a really difficult period in terms of the number of games within the last month or so. We were running on fumes a little bit today and it took a big effort. To go two up and do well at the stage. I’d expect us to go on and win from that point. The game turns on them getting a goal immediately after. Frustrating thing is that the forward is offside from the ball forward and then he fouled Sess (Steven Sessegnon). Both of those are missed and they give the free-kick against us. We have to deal with it better. That gave them momentum and energy and changed the game.

“We spoke about a few things at half-time. I thought we were much improved at the start of the second-half and then we give away another poor goal. You can’t give goals away like that. That made it an uphill task. We got back to 3-3 and just couldn’t get the winner.

“I’m not criticising the players in any way for their effort because we’ve been really stretched. Eight missing today in terms of injury and suspension. We are where we are as a squad and we’re just trying to get the most out of it.

“The important thing is you don’t lose the game. We showed character and quality. Three fantastic goals. That’s really important, that you come away with something. At the same time I’m disappointed with the position we were in during the first-half not to take three points.”

The Addicks, who sit in 11^th, have lost just once in eight league games but are now winless in three. They remain four points outside the League One play-off places, albeit having played at least a game more than some of those sides above them.

“We’re just trying to get the most out of the group between now and January,” Garner added.

“Pick up as many points as we can and progress as far as we can in the cup competitions. Especially defensively, you can see how stretched we are. We’re really low on numbers, on depth. Richard Chin did really well today. It’s not as if we have too many options in terms of changing it. It’s a case of maximising it and getting what we can from each game.”