‘It was a war of attrition’ – Charlton Athletic boss Jones on League One play-off tie against Wycombe

Nathan Jones has described his Charlton Athletic side as being in a strong position after tonight’s 0-0 draw at Wycombe Wanderers in the first leg of their League One play-off semi-final.

The Addicks will face the Buckinghamshire side again at The Valley on Thursday to decide who reaches Wembley later this month.

Charlton had recently won 4-0 at Adams Parks but this evening’s encounter was more cagey with chances at a premium.

Wycombe keeper Will Norris made late saves from Matty Godden and Greg Docherty to deny the South Londoners, who seemed to demonstrate greater urgency to break the deadlock in the closing stages.

“Look it was a tough game – a war of attrition,” said Charlton boss Jones.

“They came out of the traps and played a front three, with pace, and they tried to turn it behind us and get us into races but we have defended really, really well. We defended our box excellently and didn’t give them a chance.

“We finished really strongly at the end.

“Halfway through the tie it is evenly-poised. I’m not saying we would’ve taken it – because we always want more, but it is not a bad place to be in. We’ve kept a second clean sheet against Wycombe in three weeks.

“It is not all you’ve got to do – because Wycombe are a very good side – but you’ve got to win a game at home to get to Wembley. I think we’d have taken that.

“It was always going to be a different game (from the last meeting). The pressure involved in these games, it does stuff. But I’m really proud of the performance because we had to show a resilience. These are one of the highest scorers in the league and have one of the highest scores in the league in (Richard) Kone. These are a good side.

“Would I like us to play a little more? Yes. Do I want us to create a little bit more clearcut? Yes. Do I want us to show more quality? Yes. Those are the things we have to put right.

“We had two big chances. Godden had that big chance and it was a good save from the keeper. We pushed. We are the away team and we’ve pushed right until the end to try and win the game. That shows the character level from us.”

PICTURE: KYLE ANDREWS