Bowyer lauds Charlton’s fighting spirit after ‘ugly’ win

Charlton boss Lee Bowyer praised his side’s resolve after grinding out an “ugly” 3-1 home win over Bristol Rovers at The Valley.

George Lapslie and Nicky Ajose both squandered early chances for the hosts before Jamie Ward fired Charlton into a 10th-minute lead.

That advantage was cancelled out on the half-hour by Joe Martin’s spectacular leveller but Joe Aribo’s header restored the home side’s lead before the break.

And although the second half turned into a scrap, Karlan Grant put the outcome beyond all doubt deep into stoppage time after Rovers keeper Jack Bonham had advanced upfield for a corner.

It might not have been pretty but Bowyer was not complaining at the final whistle after his side collected a third straight league win.

He said: “I think we deserved to win the game. In the first half an hour I didn’t think they could get to grips with us.

“We moved the ball very well and obviously scored, as well as missing two sitters.

“Nicky Ajose and George Lapslie both should have scored from seven yards out. They have to score so we should have been three up.

“Then they come into it and obviously score a good goal. It was a great strike.

“I was standing right behind it and the keeper has got no chance. No keeper saves that.

“Then in the second half it was more like a battle and I said to the players afterwards the most important thing to me is that you have won ugly.”

Bowyer feels the result proves his spirited side now have more resolve following a disappointing October which saw the Londoners pick up just four points from 15 available.

He said: “In the past we probably wouldn’t have won that game and I said to them if you want to win promotion these are the type of games you have to win.

“You have to dig deep and you have to fight and compete for every ball as a team.

“Again they have just shown their togetherness and put their bodies on the line.”

Defeat leaves Bristol Rovers still in the relegation zone and came on the back of their shock midweek FA Cup exit at the hands of non-league Barnet.

Manager Darrell Clarke was clearly annoyed with his players and refused to offer up any excuses.

He said: “I didn’t think we were good enough. I thought we orchestrated our own downfall.

“Everybody sees the game in a different way, I appreciate and understand that but I want more from my team.

“I told them that in no uncertain terms. They’ve got to do more.

“For me hard luck stories don’t cut it. We’ve had a few of those over the last few games and for me another one today because we are not doing our jobs what has been told to them, so things will have to change.”

Clarke was critical of the way Charlton were able to take the lead after a Rovers free-kick was caught by Jed Steer before the home keeper launched a long clearance which set Ward through on goal.

The Rovers boss said: “There is no way when the ball is in the goalkeeper’s hands should it end up in the back of our net within five or six seconds when I’ve told my players to be wary of the counter-attack.

“It is just not acceptable. People are not doing their jobs, people are switching off and it costs you a game at Charlton.

“The last thing you want to do is come here and give them an early goal.”