Ben Garner admits Charlton did it ‘the hard way’ as they beat Stevenage on penalties in the EFL Cup

Ben Garner admits his side had to ‘do it the hard way’ as Charlton beat Stevenage 5-4 on penalties to progress to round four in the EFL Cup.

The score was tied at 1-1 after 90 minutes. The Addicks struck late to take the game to spot kicks with substitute Chuks Aneke levelling up on 87 minutes. Luke Norris had put the League Two side ahead from the spot inside the first-half after Richard Chin’s handball.

JoJo Wollacott saved the hosts’ fifth penalty from Jake Taylor – meaning Scott Fraser could fire the Addicks through to the fourth round for the first time in 16 years.

“Ultimately, that’s the key thing,” Garner admitted after his side huffed and puffed to get beyond their lower-league hosts.

“Cup competitions, sometimes you have to do it the long way or the hard way. The important thing is that you win and get through. We’re developing that. You could see that in the mentality with the group.

“A tough game. A really tough game. It’s a difficult place to come. Stevenage are really good at what they do. I was really pleased with how we kept pushing, second-half. It’s hard to break that down. We created a couple of good opportunities, especially off set-pieces. It was fantastic to see Chuks get the goal.

“Then we’re pushing to try and get the winner. But we did it on penalties. The standard of penalties was absolutely brilliant. I don’t remember seeing five better than that in a penalty shootout. A great save from Jojo to top it all off.

“A lot of the lads practice [penalties] all the time. They practice them regularly, You go into a shootout thinking are they going to do what they normally do, and they did. They showed great composure, great confidence and really good technique.

“We knew it was going to be difficult. I don’t think we created enough [during the game]. Then we gave them that goal. When they’re ahead, they can sit in and play in half the pitch. Counter attack well. They’re good off set-pieces. They kill the game.

“My one criticism tonight – the ref handled the game pretty well but it’s just the amount of time the ball’s out of play. Surely, we want it in play. Every time the balls out of play, it’s 40 seconds. It’s hard to get momentum. They do it well. We found a way which is a sign of a growing team.”

PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS