Johnnie Jackson: Charlton would probably have won if they kept 11 on the field at Wimbledon

BY LOUIS MENDEZ

Johnnie Jackson reckons Charlton would have gone on to win had Ryan Inniss not been sent off during the 1-1 draw at AFC Wimbledon.

The Addicks defender was shown a straight red card just seven minutes after replacing Sam Lavelle in the open stages of the second half. The former Crystal Palace man was featuring for the first time since mid-February after returning from injury but was soon trudging back to the changing room after flying into a late, reckless challenge on George Marsh.

The 10 men edged ahead inside the final 20 minutes as Jayden Stockley headed Adam Matthews’ inviting cross home but the relegation-battling Dons, who are now winless in 22 league games, levelled with three minutes to play through Zach Robinson.

“If we keep 11 on the pitch I like to think we can go on and win that – and we nearly did anyway with 10,” said Jackson.

“It’s a bad decision from [Inniss] but I’d rather focus on the lads who were out there and put an absolute shift in. We were pretty much down to nine, [Ben] Purrington had a problem with his knee. He could barely move but he’s still in there fighting, making headers and tackles. Doing what he can to try and get the point. It was all stacked in their favour after that for them to get the win and they didn’t. We stayed strong and got the point.

“Losing Lavelle was a bit of a turning point in the game. Making the change, bringing Inniss on and then within a few minutes he’s gone. That changed the whole complexion of the game and we had to go about it in a different way.

“It’s poor. He’s overrun the ball and made a bad decision there. He’s let his team-mates down, that’s the thing. They’re out there after that having to graft and put the work in to get something from the game and it didn’t have to be like that. He’s made a bad decision and he has to live by that now. He’s just got back from injury and now he has to miss three games. Disappointing for everyone.

“A bit of a crazy game. Mad second half. We started the game really well, first 15-20 minutes we were in total control. Probably should have been at least one up, maybe two. Some good chances there that we didn’t convert. Then the game got a bit scrappy, a bit bitty. Not a lot in it all the way up to half-time.

“We scored a great goal ourselves. I’m disappointed. We came here to win, didn’t win…but we didn’t lose either. All things considered, with the circumstances of the game, it’s a decent point.”

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