Brady left feeling 'proud' despite defeat to Charlton

Cobblers' performance against Charlton Athletic on Tuesday evening gave manager Jon Brady plenty of reasons to feel 'proud' despite his side eventually succumbing to defeat.

The Addicks started well but failed to make their early superiority count and it had been a game of precious few chances until the key moment midway through the second-half.

Referee Paul Howard awarded a hotly-disputed penalty to Charlton and Conor Washington converted, setting the home side on their way to all three points and ending Town's recent resurgence.

Brady described himself as feeling 'sick' following that decision but he was encouraged by Town's general performance at The Valley and the way they fought until the end, with debutant Alex Jones scoring a late consolation.

"It was a workmanlike performance but it's sickening to have worked as hard as we did and then to concede that penalty," said Brady.

"I think it would have finished 0-0 without the penalty but in the past, when the team has gone 1-0 down, there has been no coming back. Tonight I felt there was fight and I felt there was spirit.

"We went 3-4-3 and put Fraser (Horsfall) up front and at least the fans out there know we'll die trying and really have a go. We pushed right until the very end and we huffed and puffed and never gave up."

Without the penalty, Brady was adamant his side would have taken at least a point, although he did admit they were not at their best as an attacking force.

He added: "It should have been 0-0 but we had to chase the game and that's how they got the second. We fought back to 2-1 but all in all, if you don't give the penalty, I strongly feel that we see that game out and get a point.

"I would say our final ball and our crossing wasn't great and our final pass was a little bit off but you have those nights sometimes. I thought we showed fight and we were brave. That's something I'm very proud of about this group."