Tuesday 12 August 2014 10:15, UK
Charlton boss Bob Peeters rued his side's poor finishing as Brentford's return to the Sky Bet Championship ended in a deserved 1-1 draw.
The Addicks boss refused to single out individuals, but will look at Callum Harriott's failure to convert with the goal gaping as the turning point on a hotly-contested London derby.
With his side one up thanks to Igor Vetokele's 64th-minute strike, second-half substitute Harriott sliced his shot against the bar with Bees keeper David Button scrambling to get back after losing a challenge outside the box with Vetokele.
"We have created four clear chances so it's disappointing not to leave with more than a point, but I suppose at the start of the day a point away from home is a positive," Peeters said.
"I was delighted with the new boys Vetokele and Johann Berg Gudmundsson, who both settled in and adapted well."
Vetokele, a close-season signing from FC Copenhagen, had a debut to remember, forcing Button into a string of top quality saves before opening his account after the break.
The big striker pounced with a close-range header from Johnnie Jackson's right-wing corner as the Bees defence were caught napping.
The warning signs had been there for the hosts minutes earlier when Vetokele twice went close. First he forced a superb save from Button with a dipping drive and then saw his header tipped onto the post a minute later.
Peeters said: "It's disappointing to create so much and not come out of it with all the points, but there were many positives for us to work on. We still have options in the transfer market and if the right player comes along to strengthen up front then we will look at it."
Substitute Tommy Smith also marked his debut with a near-post finish deflected home by Tal Ben Haim with five minutes remaining.
Brentford too were guilty of poor finishing with Jonathan Douglas and skipper Tony Craig both wasting gilt-edged chances, Craig volleying over from close range when completely unmarked and Douglas ghosting in at the far post but failing to get the decisive touch.
Alan Judge rattled the bar with a free kick for the hosts and George Tucudean was thwarted by Button as the game opened up at the end of both halves.
Bees boss Mark Warburton was equally disappointed with the outcome, saying: "In the first 15 minutes I thought we were very bright but after that I didn't think we did what we do well.
"We've got a lot of young players who will find their feet, but when you start a new job and move up you have to adapt to your new environment quickly because no allowances will be given."
He added: "As the game went on there were too many gaps between our units and their two big, experienced centre halves relished the physical game we got lured into."
Warburton did not include League One Player of the Year Adam Forshaw in his squad as the £1.5 million Wigan target stays away from training.
He said: "When you look at Britt Assombalonga going to Forest for a reported £5.5 million, that sets the bar despite there is admittedly a premium on strikers. They can either pay what he is worth or back off and leave the player alone."
