‘On reflection a good point’ – Ben Garner’s verdict on Charlton’s 2-2 draw at Accrington Stanley

BY RICK EVERITT

New Charlton boss Ben Garner saw a fairytale finish to his first game in charge snatched away by a 96th-minute equaliser from Accrington Stanley substitute Korede Adedoyin.

That came just moments after 18-year-old Charlton substitute Miles Leaburn had headed what seemed certain to be the winner only 24 minutes into his senior debut.

But Garner saw plenty of positives after the visitors had come under heavy pressure from Stanley during the second half, having led 1-0 at the interval through Scott Fraser’s 36th-minute opener.

“Considering how late we scored, you think that’s the winning goal for sure,” said Garner. “We’re naturally very, very disappointed, but on reflection it’s a good point. It’s a very difficult place to come and they’re very good at what they do. I don’t think there are many teams that will come here and win this season.

“It would have been nice to have had the drama with our goal and not the second, but I’m delighted for Leaburn to get his first professional goal. He did great when he came on. You think that’s the winner, but unfortunately we didn’t see it out.

“Overall it was pretty good for a first competitive game together, with a little a bit of a new group with the players we’ve brought in. There were some really promising signs there. First half we were very good, not as good second half.”

Garner started three debutants, loaned Steven Sessegnon at left back, Eoghan O’Connell at centre-half and Jojo Wollacott in goal. Then more came on as second-half substitutes – Leaburn and midfielders Conor McGrandles and Jack Payne.

Sessegnon caught the eye before the break, but it was the former Swindon keeper who emerged as a hero as the hosts laid siege to the Charlton goal at times in the second half.

“Jojo played really well,” said Garner. “We knew we’d come under a barrage here and we restricted that more in the first half because we were better with the ball.

“We weren’t quite as good second half, which allowed them to do it more often. But it will be a very good learning curve for us with this sort of opposition. If we’re better with the football, we have to defend less.”

He was especially pleased with Fraser’s side-footed opening goal, which came at a time when Accrington were threatening to get on top after a bright start by the visitors.

“It was a really well-worked first goal,” said Garner. “Albie [Morgan] drove with the ball through the pitch, timed his pass brilliantly and then DJ [Diallang Jaiyesimi] had the composure to pick someone out. We work a lot on that type of situation in training.

“From the positions we got in first half I’d have liked another goal, but there were some encouraging signs for sure.”

Stanley skipper Sean McConville brought the home side level in the 69th minute before the game exploded into late drama. The result means Charlton have still failed to win on their four visits to the Wham Stadium since 2018.