Friday 26 December 2014 18:19, UK
Bob Peeters heaped praise on his Charlton players after they fought back to claim a 1-1 draw against Cardiff at the Valley on Boxing Day.
The Addicks were a goal behind and down to 10 men following Callum Harriott's 32nd-minute red card for a poor challenge on midfielder Craig Noone.
But Johann Gudmundsson's stunning late goal into the top corner from 30 yards cancelled out Tom Adeyemi's 11th-minute opener.
It so easily could have been three points for the home side had second-half substitute Igor Vetokele not spooned an excellent chance over the bar with the very last kick of the game.
"I think we should have won it, to be honest," said Peeters. "They had one throw-in, scored a goal, then we were down to 10 men after 32 minutes, so you know it's going to be difficult.
"For the second half, we said 'we're going to start the first five, 10 minutes the same way, then take some risks'.
"We put Oguchi [Onyewu] on to have some physicality at the back, because they were aiming for throw-ins and set-pieces. We went three at the back and put a striker on.
"In the second half we battered them. If Igor scores late, in the last second, the roof would have come off at The Valley because the fans were loving every minute of the second half, especially with 10 men. I'm very pleased with the way my players responded.
"This is the best I've seen us play, especially with 10 men. Everything was in it. A lot of determination - we scored a cracking goal, we hit the post twice. We had enough chances to win the game.
"Only the result was unfair I think, but for the rest I'm proud of my team today."
Cardiff boss Russell Slade agreed his side may have been lucky to escape with a point.
He said: "We had total control for 35 minutes when we bossed the game. We were disappointed with the second half as we performed so differently. We will have to look at the mental and physical side of our game.
"I thought our defending was poor for much of the second half. They could have had more goals and (David) Marshall was excellent in goal. He had to be, otherwise we could have quite easily lost this game today."
The result leaves the teams ninth and 10th in the table, level on 31 points with the same goal difference.
Slade insists his side are still in the running for the play-offs.
"That was the aim and it still is the aim," he said. "I believe it is a realistic target for us as long as we can start to show some consistency in the New Year."
