Lee Bowyer was frustrated with Charlton’s performance in Sunday’s Emirates FA Cup draw against Mansfield Town.
After falling behind to CJ Hamilton’s opener on the stroke of half-time, Toby Stevenson netted in the second half to earn a young Addicks side a replay.
The draw means that Charlton will be back in action in 48 hours when they take on Swansea City U21 in the Checkatrade Trophy and Bowyer was disappointed that his team were not able to win at the One Call Stadium.
“It was a tough test,” he said. “They [Mansfield] are a decent side and you can tell why they are where they are in their league. They move the ball well and they scored a good goal.
“I was impressed with Hamilton, he was a good threat for them. For us, we were poor in the first half. Second half, we improved a little bit and we started to pass eventually but we gave the ball away so cheaply so many times and that’s not like us.
“But it was a good test. There were a lot of youngsters out there, so it was good for them. Toby handled himself well – I’d say that was his first 'proper' game – and he scored again.
“The odd positive was there but I’m disappointed because the draw and the replay was the worst possible outcome, for me. Now we have a replay and them lads are having to play again on Tuesday, which is crazy.
“It’s our own fault, though – we should have scored three in the first half, we weren’t ruthless enough in front of goal and then Nicky goes through on goal in the second half and you’d normally back him to score that.”
The draw adds another game to the Addicks’ schedule. With the squad already hit with a number of injuries, Bowyer admits that it is one they could do without but also one that presents his squad players with another chance to impress.
He said: “We aren’t having much luck with injuries at the moment. Two dislocated shoulders on Tuesday; you’re unlucky to get two of them in a season, let alone one game.
“We are running out of numbers again, so these lads need to step up. We’re going to need everyone – I said that to them in the dressing room – and we’re going to need them to put their names forward to me through their performances.”