Charlton boss reckons Wrexham and Wycombe handed promotion advantage with lunchtime kick-off slots

Charlton manager Nathan Jones reckons fellow promotion hopefuls Wrexham and Wycombe Wanderers have been handed the initiative with lunchtime kick-offs over the past two weekends.

Both sides had their games moved to 12.30pm for television coverage today and last week – with the Addicks already aware that at least one of their rivals for automatic promotion had picked up maximum points before their 3pm fixtures.

Wycombe collected a late victory against Stevenage at Adams Park today while Wrexham were held at Wigan.

Last weekend it was the Red Dragons who scored three times in the final 20 minutes to beat Burton Albion before the South Londoners drew 2-2 with Lincoln City.

The Chairboys will face Leyton Orient at 12.30pm a week on Saturday, with the Addicks not kicking off at Wrexham until 5.30pm in a televised fixture of their own.

Charlton ground out a 1-0 victory at Cambridge this afternoon and are six points outside the top two with four games left to play.

Jones told BBC Radio London: “At this stage of the season, I’m not sure they should be kicking off early. I know TV dictates everything now, but it gives people advantage.

“Let’s get everything at the right time, and we all compete. But TV dictates constantly everything. So, when you see that they drop points then does it put pressure on you? Does it give you the incentive? Don’t really know.

“If they win, then does it dishearten you? It’s a constant thing. But right now, I think we’re at the nitty-gritty end, and I think everyone should be at three o’clock – so that we compete and see where we all are.”

PICTURES: KYLE ANDREWS