'Massive blow'

A 96th minute equaliser by Crewe denied Charlton the three points at The Valley tonight, the game ending 2-2.  It was a massive blow, although it was not an impressive Charlton performance. Crewe had 61 per cent possession and far more attempts on goal.

At one point tonight we were 6th with Portsmouth losing (they eventually drew 3-3) but we are now back down at 8th.   Blackpool won at Sunderland.

Jayden Stockley put Charlton ahead in the first half and after Crewe equalised Alex Gilbey put the Addicks back in the lead.

Curbs asked did we deserve much more over the 90 minutes.   Probably not.   We got completely outgunned in midfield both halves.   There was so much time and space in midfield.

Matt Holland noted that it was only after a late double substitution that we got up the pitch more.  For much of the second half we were second best.

Curbs thought that the Peterborough game took a lot out of us and the nerves started to creep in because we were at home.   There were some tired bodies out there, Stockley look tired, Watson looked tired in the second half.

Nigel Adkins said that from the kick off they pinned us in for seven or eight minutes, then a fantastic goal. We found the first half very challenging.  In the second half we changed the shape, but then we allowed them to get the ball in the box and headed it and cleared it again and again.  It's disappointing, but we've got to get over this disappointment quickly.   The lads gave us everything.  We've got to win the next three.

Jayden was far too isolated, the manager added.   The changes did help with three at the back.  We didn't have the ball, on Saturday we did have the ball.  We were too easily bypassed, we were picked off too easily.  We've got the help the players improve, we need that positive togetherness.  I took a massive gamble with Ryan Inniss tonight.  One or two players have niggles.   Perhaps I should have put Chris Gunter on as well to give a fresh pair of legs.   We'll get ourselves together again.

Curbs said he thought Adkins was disappointed with our possession, he couldn't work that out because we are a passing side.

Match report

On nine minutes Millar put in great work on the left, Gilbey got in behind the defence and Stockley got in front of his man and scored with a header at the near post to make it 1-0.

Steve Brown thought it was too easy for Crewe: 'I though the goal would spring us into life.'  We were giving away possession cheaply.

Dale and Wood got yellow cards.

A Forster-Caskey free kick in the three minutes added on came off the wall.

All the stats in the first half favoured Crewe.

HT: 1-0

Maatsen got a harsh yellow card from referee Trevor 'Steaming' Kettle.  On 54 minutes he was replaced by Washington.

Gilbey got a harsh yellow card and Pearce got one for kicking the ball away, but Kettle also managed to book one of the Crewe staff.

Crewe started to apply some real pressure and pinned Charlton back.   The only relief came when Millar shot over the bar.  It was no surprise when Dale equalised for Crewe on 66 minutes.

Millar was replaced by Aneke whose physical presence was a threat.  Stockley and Watson came off and Inniss and Pratley came on.  Charlton then started to be more effective.

Gilbey won a Charlton corner.  Famewo headed the ball in and Gilbey scored through the legs of the keeper.

Kirk received a yellow card, possibly for not signing for Charlton.   The Addicks were unable to keep hold of the ball allowing the substitute Porter to equalise.   There was talk of a push, but Nigel Adkins didn't think there was one.

Crewe are a neat and tidy side with one or two good players.   They didn't create much but they still outplayed us for much of the game.