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Sky Bet Championship: Bolton manager Neil Lennon left frustrated after loss to Charlton

Neil Lennon Bolton
Image: Neil Lennon: Bolton boss calls for cutting edge

Neil Lennon was left frustrated by his goal-shy Bolton side after they slipped to a 2-1 defeat at Charlton.

Wanderers, looking to build on their first away win of the season at Birmingham on Saturday in Lennon's first game in charge, dominated for long spells at The Valley.

But they fell two goals behind to strikes from George Tucudean and Johnnie Jackson either side of half-time before finally finding the net with one of their 15 attempts on goal through Dean Moxey.

"We should have got something, but 'should' doesn't cut it,'' said Lennon. "The reaction to going a goal down and two goals down was good, but it would be nice to stop going two goals down.

"The structure, the passing, the movement was excellent, it was just the last bit that was missing. We need to do a bit of work.

"We are where we are because we don't score enough and we concede too many. That was evident tonight.

"But the standard of performance was very high. We are a totally different animal now, but we are still losing games.''

Tucudean struck in the 27th minute when he controlled a high ball from Yoni Buyons and slotted it past Andy Lonergan.

Skipper Jackson made it two when he buried Tucudean's square pass in the 50th minute, although Moxey made it an uncomfortable night for Charlton boss Bob Peeters when he rifled in from the edge of the area three minutes later.

"I said at half-time we need to get the second goal and then we can enjoy the game, but it wasn't like that,'' said Peeters.

"Our back four stood their ground, but it was not good for the heart. I think I aged about 10 years at the end.

"It's strange, when we were 1-0 down at Bournemouth on Saturday there was two minutes added time and yet whenever we are winning it's five! Are they trying to give me a heart attack?''

Charlton are just four points off top spot following a hugely encouraging start to the season, which has also prompted rumours chairman Roland Duchatelet may poach his own manager and take him to struggling Standard Liege, another club he owns.

But Peeters added: "We haven't spoken about that. He knows I'm not leaving here. The owner will be very happy we have 22 points.''

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