Nathan Jones believes Shrews deserved to be tamed by his upwardly-mobile Addicks

Posted Sunday, September 15, 2024 by PA

Charlton boss Nathan Jones believes his team just ‘shaded’ the 1-0 victory at Shrewsbury that earns them a top-two place in Sky Bet League One.

The victory means the Addicks got their promotion hopes back on track after a loss and draw – to Reading and Rotherham, respectively – in their previous two games.

Shrewsbury have only managed to pick up three points and keep one clean sheet in six games, leaving them second from bottom.

The hosts’ best chance came through Morgan Feeney late into the game, whose effort from close range was blocked by Will Mannion’s leg.

The winner came minutes into the second half when forward Gassan Ahadme rose highest in the heart of the box to meet a corner.

Jones said: “It was a tough game. Conditions were difficult even though it looked like a beautiful sunny day in Shropshire, it was actually not.

“The wind was swirling and it was a very difficult first half. I thought we started the game well but then we allowed them to come into the game too much, we didn’t impose our game on them, and that’s disappointing.

“Second half we were much better, much more front-footed, penned them in and got the goal, which was important because we did the same against Reading without getting a goal.

“It was just a hard-fought game; they had one good chance where the keeper made a good save, which we are really pleased with but apart from that it was a really even game, which I think we just shaded.

“When you play like that, you have got to win, and we did so, and that is the positive.”

Shrewsbury head coach Paul Hurst said: “I thought we played some decent football at times. We spoke about some of the out-of-possession work they do and some positions we could perhaps exploit.

“We started off a little bit nervy the first five to seven minutes, but after that I thought we got on top of the game and looked the better team (in the first half) and (there were) some decent individual performances as well.

“Some people will accept what I’m saying and other people will see the result. That will be solely their outlook on the game and I get it because we don’t want to keep losing games.

“The last few years, it’s coming about with performances coming above results, with the idea being that if you keep getting performances, you will get results.

“I am kind of conscious of that, but I think as a group we want that result for everyone concerned.”