Guy Luzon feels the red card awarded to Chris Solly in the first half of today’s 2-1 defeat at Millwall was harsh.

The Lions started much the brighter and had a golden chance to open the scoring just after the half hour as Solly was dismissed for allegedly blocking a goal-bound shot with his hand as the hosts were awarded a penalty.

Lee Gregory stepped up but Stephen Henderson guessed the correct way, diving to his right to keep the scores at 0-0.

It was a rearguard action for the Addicks in the second half, although they edged ahead in a rare foray forwards when Morgan Fox’s low cross was expertly flicked home by Alou Diarra.

But Millwall hit back to win with two goals in the last 11 minutes.

First, substitute Magaye Gueye fired home from a narrow angle to haul the home side level.

And three minutes from time, Gueye’s angled drive was flicked home by Jos Hooiveld from six yards.

But head coach Luzon felt that red card changed the story of the game for his Addicks side.

“First, it’s not easy to play with ten players,” said the Israeli.

“I’m really not sure it was a red card. I thought the ball touched his head, not his hands. 

“But it’s OK, it’s the referee’s decision.

“Chris Solly, when I spoke with him, told me that the ball touched his head, not his hand.

“We came with a great attitude for the second half, we organised well in defence. We had some good counter attacks and from one of them we scored.

“After we scored, we continued to stay organised.

“The opponent didn’t have a lot of chances to score - one deflection, it is 1-1 ten minutes from the end.”

Despite being a man down and rocked by that equaliser, Charlton could very easily have restored their advantage when substitute Simon Church glanced a header wide from close range.

Luzon added: “And then we had a great chance with Church to finish the game 2-1.

“Unfortunately in the next attack they score the winning goal.

“Of course you’re disappointed because I think my players today gave everything.

“When we were with ten players, we continued to believe and continued to do the maximum. 

“But football is like this - they won and that’s it.”

The hosts began very much on the front foot but Luzon felt Charlton had weathered the early storm well.

“Millwall started the game very well,” Luzon admitted.

“When we had 11 they still controlled the game, they moved the ball well.

“But we passed these minutes and we started to grow into the game. 

“In the second half we did it well with ten players, but in the end we lose.

“They started the game very well.

“After that, we got into the game and in the second half, they didn’t want it more than us. We gave everything.

“The red card changed out style of play, because we like to move the ball, we like to create chances to score and be an offensive team.”

Luzon also admitted ultimately Solly’s exit had caught up with his side.

“It’s really difficult to play with ten and move the ball.

“We did the maximum in the second half but in the end it wasn’t enough.

”I think all the players gave their maximum, gave everything for success. 

“Even with ten, we continued to work and continued to try and score another goal unfortunately we missed the second one, but that’s football.”

Despite the sending off, Luzon left both Tony Watt and Igor Vetokele on the field, explaining he’s always going to try and take a game to an opponent despite being a man down.

“My philosophy, my target is always to come to the game and to win,” the Israeli admitted. 

“I don’t think about drawing or losing. It doesn’t matter for me if it’s home or away. 

“Today when we are with ten players we kept with the strikers and also brought on Church. We did everything to win.”

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