CHARLTON boss Chris Powell paid tribute to his players after a much-improved performance in the 1-1 draw at home to Southampton last night.

With the Addicks going a goal down midway through the second-half, the home faithful feared the worst, only for Bradley Wright-Phillips to grab a deserved equaliser.

Powell said: "We got hurt on Saturday. I won't lie, it hurt everyone, every player and every member of staff.

“I just wanted a performance to show we care because it's been lacking in certain areas but against a top team, we displayed some passion and a bit of courage.

"I said to the players at half-time, 'you've shown everyone you care, have that commitment and pride', and not just at Charlton but any club, I know this place, that's what fans want."

After winning his first four games as manager, it hasn't been plain sailing for Powell.

But the Addicks legend believes his side deserved a bit of luck against Southampton.

He said: "It's been a really tough time for everyone and with myself coming in winning those first four games, sometimes you've just got to believe in yourself.

"We've put in a really good shift, then they score from a set-play and you could almost feel the crowd thinking 'we're going to lose another game'.

"But fair play to the players because there are some young men out there and it's been hard for them.

"I've been asking more from them and they have done, but it just hasn't happened.

"We just needed to get something from the game - I'm very pleased we have."

Charlton thought they had equalised shortly after Southampton's opener when it looked as if Miguel Llera's shot had just crossed the line after the ball had bounced down from the underside of the crossbar.

But after looking at the replay up to half-a-dozen times, Powell admits the whole ball had not crossed the line.

"At the time, I thought it was over by a number of inches," revealed the boss.

"But I've seen it and apologised to Andy D'Urso and said 'fantastic decision'.

"You have to remember, they do it in real time and I've seen it four or five times.

"But the ball has hit the line, comes out and I'm thinking 'here we go again, it's not going for us'. But fair play to the boys, they showed some courage after going a goal down and we got our just rewards in the end."

On-loan midfielder Dean Parrett impressed in central midfield with some creative spark, good set-piece deliveries and provided the assist for Wright-Phillips' equaliser with a cheeky flick over the Saints defence.

"I thought Dean Parrett was very good for his home debut, the young boy from Spurs, who I thought could make a big difference to us and he showed his talents," said Powell.

One player who came back into the side was young full-back Chris Solly and Powell is pleased the academy graduate has come through his injury problems this season.

The boss said: "He's come in and done very well.

"He's been in my thoughts for a while on the bench and he's been working his way back to fitness but I'm very pleased with him."

Powell also revealed fellow full-back Carl Jenkinson had been left out of the squad as the club look to negotiate some contract issues with the player.

"I just felt he wasn't right with his contract issues going on, so hopefully they'll be resolved," added the manager.

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