Plymouth boss Ryan Lowe: First Charlton goal should not have counted

Ryan Lowe was happy with Plymouth Argyle’s performance at Charlton on Boxing Day – and felt the hosts’ first goal should not have counted.

The match finished 2-2 with an excellent piece of improvisation and clean strike by Marcus Maddison levelled the contest in the second half.

Luke Jephcott had twice put the Devon outfit ahead in the first period.

And Lowe was unhappy that Chris Gunter’s 32nd-minute close-range finish was allowed to stand – feeling there was a foul by Chuks Aneke.

“We were excellent – from start to finish,” said the Plymouth boss. “We did have to soak up a little bit of pressure but that’s normal at The Valley against a good Charlton team.

“We went ahead twice, which was important. The lads were on it and pressing in the right areas. They stuck to the game plan we put out. We’ve got to get on the front foot and pressure teams into making mistakes and that’s what we’ve done.

“They were a little bit disappointed in there [the dressing room] that they didn’t come away with the three points. So am I – but it was a moment of brilliance from Maddison with the nutmeg and strike.

“The game plan wasn’t for us just to sit in, let’s have it right, we came here to play some good football. We had some good chances. Even towards the end we were putting the ball in the box – we wanted to win.

“The back lads were magnificent. Okay, we’ve conceded two goals. We thought the first goal was a foul – definitely. But I don’t want to get too involved in that. Some of the decisions were indifferent and their manager is having a pop. We’re just asking for a bit of honesty and know-how of what is going on.

“They’ll be disappointed with some decisions and we are as well.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD AND PAUL EDWARDS