Nathan Jones praised his side after an impressive performance in a 2-1 loss to Championship side, Preston North End, in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup.
The Addicks created plenty of chances and restricted the home side to just two shots on target.
Speaking to CharltonTV post-game Jones said: “I thought we were the better team. I am really proud of the performance. The goals we gave away are catastrophic. I'm really disappointed with the goals, but apart from that, as a team, in terms of how we went about pressing a Championship side, going after them, the chances we created, I thought we were excellent.
“First half we were outstanding. Second half again we started poorly, which was a real frustration. We gifted them two goals, really poor goals to give away, but apart from that, the performance levels and what they gave me, the energy and everything, absolutely outstanding.”
Tyreece Campbell and Thierry Small gave the Preston defenders plenty of problems.
“I thought we were excellent in wide areas,” Jones said. “TC and Thierry were both outstanding with a threat. Bez [Luke Berry], could have had one or two first half, we were inches away. We've tested the keeper, I'm just really pleased with our creative play and everything we did.
“Their keeper has had to make three or four really big saves today and Chuks [Aneke] had his chance at the end when he came on, the opportunities we had, it was excellent. Keep in mind they are a good Championship side, they're the mid-table in the Championship, we proved that that that that that we can, we are that level.”
Jones was pleased with his side’s defensive showing, apart from the two goals.
He said: “It's unlike us, we gifted them the first goal from sloppy play and the second we don't start really start well and conceded from a set play – we haven't conceded from a set play in a long time and then to do that is really disappointing because normally we've been excellent defensively. The first goal shouldn't have happened, just categorically it shouldn't have happened and if it doesn't happen, then, it's a totally different game.”
The Addicks are back in league action on Saturday when they visit Rotherham United.
“I’m just proud of the of everything this evening,” said Jones. “We've got to concentrate on the league, but if we attain levels of performance like that, then we're a good side.”
