Nolan calls on 'amazing' players to 'take responsibility' after conceding bad winning goal against Charlton Athletic

Despite Charlton’s fine form in pursuit of the play-offs, and possibly even automatic promotion, Town were arguably the better for an hour at the Valley on Good Friday with Dara Costelloe’s penalty cancelling out Luke Berry’s early opener.

But the Addicks picked up the tempo in the final half-hour and won the game with a surprisingly simple goal as Chuks Aneke flicked on a long ball and Matty Godden ran through unopposed on goal before beating goalkeeper Lee Burge.

"I didn’t think there was anything in the game and it could have gone either way,” said Nolan. “They probably didn’t deserve to win and we probably didn’t deserve to win and it looked like it was going to be a draw. I’m more disappointed about the goal we conceded again.

"It’s one long ball, one flick-on and then the lads running through and he scores again. That’s happened too many times and I’ve said that to them. I’ll protect these boys as much as I can but they have to take some responsibility.

"They are holding their hands up to be fair to them but it can’t keep happening and that’s the most disappointing thing today, but we have matched a team that are going into be in the play-offs and trying to get in the Championship.

"These lads have done amazing again and should have come away with something if not for a really poor goal on our behalf. I can’t really give them any credit because it’s just a long ball.”