Johnnie Jackson delighted with display at Rotherham and says George Dobson deserved long-awaited goal

BY LOUIS MENDEZ

Manager Johnnie Jackson’s reckons George Dobson’s wonder strike during Charlton’s triumph at Rotherham was good enough to win any game.

The midfielder rifled the only goal of the game home from outside the area on 56 minutes to bag his first strike in Addicks colours as the South Londoners battled their way to three points at the New York Stadium.

The victory extended Charlton’s unbeaten run on the road to three league games and means they’ve lost just once in their last six league outings as their high-flying hosts missed the opportunity to climb back into the automatic promotion places.

“A goal worthy to win any game but I’m so pleased for [Dobson] that he’s the match winner today,” said Jackson, as his side extended their unbeaten run against the Millers to eight – a sequence that stretches back to 1983.

“He’s been outstanding for me. He’s been magnificent. He’s deserved that. It’s been a while coming, a goal for him, but he deserved that today. His overall performance in the game was brilliant. Since I took over, he’s been a mainstay in the team. I’m really pleased for him.

“He’s been the most consistent. He’s played every game and kept his shirt. I said when I took over, if you’re performing on the pitch then you keep your place. He’s probably the only one that’s managed to keep his place every single one. Brilliant. Delighted for him.”

The Addicks’ season is long over but they did secure mathematical safety from relegation with four games to spare after the victory in South Yorkshire.

Whilst any play-off hopes were long dead, Jackson was pleased with the spirit shown by his side during recent end-of-season clashes.

He said: “What’s pleased me most about the last two games – okay we didn’t win on Tuesday [at Wimbledon] but we played a team who were fighting for their lives to stay in the division.

“Today, we played a team fighting to try and get promoted. We have, relatively speaking, nothing to play for. But it would never be apparent on the football pitch. My players are fighting, giving everything as if it’s us that’s desperate for those points. That’s what I’ve asked for them, that’s what they’ve given me. As a manger when you see your team and your players fighting for you like that it’s really pleasing.

“They’re third in the league, they’re right up there and still right in the mix for automatic promotion. They’re a good side with good players and threats all over the pitch. To come here and win 1-0, with the manner of the performance, I thought was magnificent. Limited them to very little.

“I don’t think Macca [Craig MacGillivray] has really made a save. One in the first-half that was offside anyway. He’s had to come and claim some crosses of course. But we defended our box really well and we’ve had countless chances on the break. As an away performance I’m really happy with that.”

PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS