Lee Bowyer says his Charlton side were excellent during the draw at Donny – but admits his top two hopes are over now

Charlton boss Lee Bowyer said his side were excellent during their draw at Doncaster Rovers this afternoon, but admits that their hopes of finishing in League One’s top two are now over.

An own-goal from former Millwall man John Marquis edged the South Londoners ahead inside the final twenty minutes but it was cancelled just four minutes later by Mallik Wilks.

The draw, coupled with Barnsley’s 3-0 win at Southend, leaves the Addicks ten points shy of the top two with eleven games left – but they still enjoy a five-point cushion above seventh-placed Peterborough in the race for a top-six finish.

“You can look at that [cushion] but for me we were still trying to go for top two,” explained Bowyer.

“With Barnsley winning today that’s done now.

“I think [a point] was the least we deserved today. First ten minutes we should have been three up. Second-half we hit the post and had chance after chance. We didn’t take chances. They made good blocks, the keeper made good saves. I seem to be repeating myself a bit. But I said to them don’t be disappointed. You got a point, it’s another game unbeaten. They deserved at least that.

“Like I keep saying we’re going to end up thumping someone soon and today it could have been. They were excellent from start to finish, obviously taking the goal away. We dominated large parts of that game. Our passing and movement was very good. Unfortunately, we didn’t put the game to bed but I thought they worked very hard today.”

Rovers may well have won it deep into injury-time as Marquis beat Dillon Phillips, but the linesman’s flag was raised to halt the host’s celebrations.

“It’s look like one of their fellas who was in and around the six-yard box gambles on the shot,” said Bowyer.

“It looks like he got a little flick on it as he runs away celebrating and he’s in an offside position. I have to say I thought the ref was very good today. He was a good one.”

Bowyer watched from the stands this afternoon as he served the first of a three-match ban after his dismissal at AFC Wimbledon last weekend – but he feels the punishment doesn’t effect his side at all.

“It’s no different. The only difference is you hear a different voice shouting onto the pitch. It’s a lot clearer up there than down here. You’ve got that vantage point. No difference whatsoever.”