We shot ourselves in the foot - Pards

Charlton boss Alan Pardew said his side had shot themselves in the foot after watching Coventry City fight back for a late point on Saturday.

Pardew watched Lloyd Sam fire the Addicks into a 15th-minute lead before Michael Mifsud hauled the hosts level six minutes from time.

And the boss, who watched Chris Iwelumo spurn a great late chance to win the match, also believed his side were denied a cast-iron penalty in the opening period.

He said: "In the second half we made too many errors and were guilty of overplaying a bit in our own box. Without them really creating anything major, we've shot ourselves in the foot and lost two points on the back of it.”

Aside from the late leveller, there were plenty more talking points during Charlton's first ever trip to the Ricoh Arena, including that penalty appeal in the 24th minute when Luke Varney sped down the middle and appeared to be hauled down by Ben Turner.

Reflecting on the incident, Pardew added: "After taking the lead I felt that we were nice and solid and didn't allow Coventry to get any momentum - and for me we had what looked a stonewall penalty turned down.

"It was a definite penalty and it was a big decision for the referee, and I felt he backed out. It was easy for him to walk away from it.

"He said it was two bodies coming together and he didn't think it was a penalty.”

That said, Pardew was happy at the break with his side well set to perhaps move top of the table.

"I was pleased at half-time and I though we would go on and win,” he continued. "But too many mistakes were made in the second half.

"We were a bit casual and guilty of overplaying in our own box, and you cannot do that at this level.

"We had subdued them and done our job, and may have nicked a second on the break but then gifted them two or three opportunities, one of which they took.”

"Before the game I would actually have taken a draw on the back of their fantastic result at Old Trafford. But obviously it feels like two points dropped in terms of how the game unfolded.”

It may have still been a maximum return for the Addicks too, but for Iwelumo's late miss, when the unmarked frontman sent a diving header just wide of the left upright.

And the boss added: "Although Chris played well today he's made a mistake there and should win the game for us. It was a great chance to win it.

"We need to learn the discipline of winning away in this division; there are certain tricks and traits that you need and we didn't explore them today.

"We had the journey from hell getting up here yesterday and it took us seven hours. Hopefully we will get back a bit more lively, and I will digest what's happened ahead of another tough game on Tuesday.”