Opposition view: Charlton boss praises Cobblers and blasts 'ridiculous decision' after 'deserved' win

Cobblers were hammered 5-0 by Jones’ Addicks back at Sixfields in December but it was a very different game at the Valley, one that Town had the better of for long spells and might have taken something from with a bit more luck.

Dara Costelloe’s penalty was the least they deserved after Luke Berry opened the scoring against the run of play, but missed opportunities and then poor defending allowed Matty Godden to secure Charlton’s place in the play-offs.

Jones said: "Northampton were in a bad moment when we played them earlier in the season but Kevin’s gone in there and he’s got them working hard and they were a totally different animal today.

"They’re fighting hard and made it really difficult but we showed we have different facets to our play. We tried to play and we tried to get momentum and we showed our quality in moments. It could have been more. Godden missed a great opportunity before he scored.

"We had to bring on big Chuks (Aneke) and he showed what a threat he is and we had to win it a different way. I’m just really, really proud because all that matters at this stage of the season is results.”

Charlton were pegged back by Tom McIntyre’s unfathomable decision to bat the ball away inside his own penalty box, allowing Costelloe to level from 12 yards.

"The goal we gave away was a ridiculous decision,” Jones added. “That can’t happen and that’s my disappointment today because we were sloppy at times and we can’t give teams an opportunity like that.

"It’s a moment of madness and it’s a poor decision but he’s an experienced guy and he doesn’t need me to tell him what he’s done wrong. But let’s not focus on the negatives. We showed character and I thought we deserved to win the game based on the chances we created.”