Charlton goalkeeper Harry Isted: You can find yourself in a rut where every shot goes in so I’m pleased to have made some important saves at Shrewsbury

Charlton goalkeeper Harry Isted’s heroics earned his side a share of the spoils at Shrewsbury on Saturday – with the Addicks stopper relieved that he’s finally made some standout saves for his new club.

The former Luton Town custodian, who arrived as a free agent in the summer following his release by the Hatters, made a string of fine blocks throughout the game at the New Meadow on Saturday to earn his first clean sheet in a Charlton shirt.

The 26-year-old keeper was pleased to put in a big performance during the goalless draw after a frustrating start to his Addicks career that had seen him concede five times from just 11 shots on target in four league outings.

But he repelled all eight of Shrewsbury’s efforts on goal over the weekend – including a spectacular if unorthodox stop from Carl Winchester’s attempted lob from the halfway line.

“The first couple of games I didn’t have too much to do apart from pick the ball out of the net,” said Isted after the stalemate at Salop.

“That happens in goalkeeping, you go through a rut of not making a save and every shot just seems to go in. You’re desperate to make that save and set the tone for me. Gave me a bit of confidence going into it.

“I’d be happy to walk away with a clean sheet and no saves whatsoever! But goalkeepers go through that stage of everything the opposition hit seems to go in.

“I haven’t had much of a save to make in my first couple of games at Charlton. It’s nice to get off the mark in that sense by making a good save and then following it up with two others in the first half. The tale of the second half was both goalkeepers – he made three or four outstanding saves. Two were my own doing but I had to keep them out.”

Isted only earned three league appearances for Luton but made his name during a loan spell with Barnsley last season. He garnered headlines during the League One play-off final as he impressed throughout the Tykes’ narrow defeat to Sheffield Wednesday at Wembley.

But he played second fiddle to Ashley Maynard-Brewer at the start of his time at The Valley – waiting until the end of August before making his first league start for the South Londoners.

Isted added: “Ash had a fantastic pre-season. I got in after a few bad results, Dean Holden put me in for his last game. I’ve gone on from there and kept my place.

“Ashley is a top-quality keeper and we push each other every day in training. Unfortunately, with the goalkeeper, one has to be on the bench and one gets to play. He’ll keep me on my toes.”

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