We were not good enough – Charlton boss Bowyer after Rochdale defeat

Charlton boss Lee Bowyer branded his side’s display “not good enough” in the 1-0 defeat at Rochdale.

The Addicks were beaten by Ian Henderson’s fourth-minute strike and while they hit the woodwork twice, saw Lyle Taylor’s first-half penalty saved and had a second half effort ruled offside, Bowyer didn’t see enough from his players.

“It wasn’t good enough,” said Bowyer. “In the first half we didn’t compete, didn’t pass the ball – everything we’re good at we didn’t do. You can’t turn up and just expect to be handed three points, that’s just not football.

“I’ve not seen the goal we had disallowed again, but to be honest that doesn’t matter. We had a penalty saved, we’ve hit the bar and the keeper has made a great save from Josh Cullen – all of them things – but we still didn’t do the right things so it’s all irrelevant, the other stuff, it’s about what you do.

“The way we performed in the second half was slightly better but still not good enough, not where we are or what we’re about. It’s disappointing but we’ll go again and keep working at it and I’m sure we’ll get it right.”

Henderson slammed home his 99th goal for Dale after pouncing on a square pass from Stephen Dooley.

Taylor then fired a shot against the crossbar before Darren Pratley was brought down by Dale keeper Brendan Moore midway through the first half to earn his side a penalty. But Moore guessed the right way and pushed Taylor’s spot kick away.

Brad Inman and Jordan Williams were both denied by Addicks stopper Jed Steer and after the break, Cullen had a 25-yard effort pushed onto the post by Moore and was frustrated again when his free-kick was ruled out for an infringement by Taylor.

Dale had several chances themselves to double their advantage, and on balance boss Keith Hill felt they deserved the win.

“I think it was a good League One performance, there was a lot of courage in it against an excellent side,” he said.

“We created goalscoring opportunities and we did well to defend our goal, so I’m relatively pleased. Well done to the players – it’s difficult, League One. Charlton are a very good side represented by a very good manager so it was a stern test but in reflection I think we just about deserved it.

“I was a little bit perturbed by some of the decisions the referee made, but I thought it was a genuine, hard-working performance from us.

“We could have been slightly better in possession, our fullbacks should have slowed the game down a little bit more, but it’s a 1-0 win at home and we’re getting points on the board, which we need if we are going to have a chance of staying in League One and I believe we’re giving ourselves a fair crack of the whip.”