Anthony Hayes: Charlton must use EFL Cup giant killing over Brighton as springboard for league form

Charlton caretaker Anthony Hayes says the EFL Cup penalty shootout win over Premier League Brighton must be used as a springboard to improve their League One form.

New Addicks manager Dean Holden watched on from the stands as the South Londoners battled to a goalless draw with their top tier hosts during 90 minutes.

A chaotic spot-kick competition then commenced, with both sides missing three of their original five. Solly March missed when given the chance to send the Seagulls through, before Ashley Maynard-Brewer denied Moisés Caicedo during sudden death.

Sam Lavelle struck the decisive penalty home as the Addicks reached the quarter-finals of the EFL for the first time since 2006.

“It’s a special night,” said Hayes, who will now return to his first-team coaching role alongside Holden.

“A special performance. We needed a bit of luck, rode our luck at times against a high calibre Premier League side. I’ve got so much admiration for how they play the game. We needed to suffer a lot without the ball. To stay in a solid shape. It would have been nice to have carried a little bit more of a threat in the second half but when you’re against that calibre of opposition it’s difficult.

“It’s a special night. Delighted that we’re able to swing the mood and send the fans home happy, particularly this side of Christmas.

“It gives everyone a lift. It’s one that the fans, the players, the staff, we won’t forget. We’ve got a quarter final tie to look forward to. But we have to use this as a springboard going into our league campaign.

“I thought how we defended back to front all night was outstanding. You need a bit of luck but we showed some resolve, grit and character in the moments they really started to get ion top in the game. I thought the least we deserved was a penalty shootout.

“The fans respond to those effort levels. I said at the end: ‘That’s the minimum requirement when you wear this badge. The quality has to improve but if we have that as a base, not many teams will beat this.”

PHOTOS: KEITH GILLARD