Charlton had to come from behind to snatch a replay in the FA Cup at Mansfield on Sunday.
Toby Stevenson’s fourth senior goal cancelled out CJ Hamilton’s opener.
Lee Bowyer. Started with three central defenders – Anfernee Dijksteel, Darren Pratley and Naby Sarr – with Mark Marshall and Stevenson operating as wing-backs. But he switched to a back four after about 20 minutes, with Pratley pushed up into midfield.
The game was an open affair, with chances at both ends. Hamilton hit the outside of the post for the Stags, and George Lapslie should have done better when teed up by Karlan Grant.
Mansfield took the lead on the stroke of half-time. Jamie Ward gave the ball away in midfield, and Hamilton’s effort from the left hand edge of the box hit the back of Dillon Phillips’ goal via the far post.
Tha Addicks levelled the scores when Stevenson bundled the ball home 17 minutes from time.
It was a scruffy goal, but a minute later, Nicky Ajose should have given the visitors the lead. He was put clear with just the keeper to beat, but he fluffed a one-on-one chance with just Bobby Olejnik to beat.
The replay is likely to be staged on Tuesday 20 November, with the Checkatrade Trophy clash with Swansea U-21 being played this Tuesday.
An extra game is the last thing Bowyer needed. Here are the manager’s post match thoughts.
“It was a tough test, 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.
Charlton: Phillips; Dijksteel, Pratley, Sarr; Marshall, Lapslie, Maloney (Clarke 69), Marshall, Ward (Fosu 56), Stevenson; Ajose (Hackett-Fairchild 76), Grant.
Subs (not used): Steer, Morgan.
Goal: Stevenson 73.
Booked: Maloney 34 (foul), Lapslie 38 (foul), Pratley 63 (foul), Clarke 87 (foul).
Mansfield: Olejnik; White, Pearce, Sweeney, Benning (Butcher 77); Macdonald, Mellis, Bishop, Hamilton; Davies (Rose 61), Walker (Graham 90).
Subs (not used): Logan, Atkinson, Gibbens, Smith.
Goal: Hamilton 45.
Referee: Ollie Yates.
Attn: 3,240 (492 Charlton).