We gave Bolton Wanderers their three goals – Charlton manager Ben Garner’s frank assessment of defeat

Ben Garner claimed that Charlton’s wounds were self-inflicted during their defeat at Bolton Wanderers.

The South Londoners suffered their second loss of the campaign despite taking an early lead through Scott Fraser at the University of Bolton Stadium.

The Trotters were soon on level terms through Conor Bradley – albeit possibly with the aide of a hand. Ian Evatt’s side led at the break after Kieran Lee netted from close-range four minutes before half-time.

Palace loanee Jes Rak-Sakyi, who created the opening goal, had a string of chances to haul the Addicks level after the interval.

But the hosts, who carried a threat for large spells of the contest, finished the tie off 15 minutes from time through George Johnston.

Garner’s side are winless in three league outings and are yet to taste a league victory on the road this campaign.

Garner said: “There’s a lot of errors within the goals. Not just one or two mistakes, three or four. Tracking runs, doing the basics. We gave the ball away needlessly for one of the goals. Then we gave away a goal from a set-piece that we knew was coming. [Assistant manager] Scott Marshall shouted on the pitch 15 seconds beforehand what was going to happen – and we conceded from it.

“A lot of things were wrong. It was our problems that gave them the goals. That’s something we haven’t had this season.

“Disappointed overall. We start the game well and score a good goal but for the rest of the first half, it wasn’t us. We didn’t commit to the way we play. We didn’t commit enough to what we worked on all week with and without the ball.

“We conceded two really poor goals. Disappointing first-half, fantastic response second half. First 20-25 minutes of the second half, that was us. We had a really good spell with some good opportunities. But then we concede an equally poor third goal that kills the game off.

“It’s the first time since Derby at home, first half, where we didn’t commit to how we play and what we do. If you do that, if you play with fear rather than bravery, that’s what happens. We were 2-1 down because we didn’t show enough courage to play our game.

“That needs to be a lesson for all of us. It’s my responsibility. We have to commit to how we’re going to play. If it’s not good enough and we get beaten, I’d rather accept that and sleep well at night. Rather than that first 45 minutes, which I won’t sleep well with.

“It was a good response second half and we got control of the game. Which is difficult to do here, they’re a good side. I spoke to Ian [Evatt] after the game – it’s taken him three windows to build this side. They’ve got a really strong squad now. They lost three or four games here last year. But to go 1-0 up and concede the way we did changed the dynamic of the game.”

PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS