Charlton will play Shrewsbury in the play-off semi-finals after finishing sixth.

The Addicks lost 1-0 to Rochdale on the final day of the season - but caretaker boss Lee Bowyer, who has turned their season around with six wins out of 10, refused to criticise his players.

He said: “That was the goal. From day one when I took over, the main aim was to get into the play-offs.

“That’s what I said to the players in the dressing room, I’m not going to stand there and criticise them after everything they've given me.

“We’re disappointed we didn't win the game, but we’ll take it. The most important thing is Thursday [against Shrewsbury].

“We have to be ready, stand up and be counted and fight as a team because it’s going to be a very tough and physical game.

“I won’t stand here now and talk about their performance today. I’m not going to gain anything from it. I know what they've given me over the 10 games - and they've given me everything I’ve asked them to.

“They've been outstanding for me and I’ve just told them that. I said ‘I’m not going to criticise you because you've done everything I’ve asked, you've stood together’.

“Now we've got to make sure we’re ready for Thursday. I have absolutely no doubt that we will not play like we just did there on Thursday.”

Bowyer made four changes to his starting line-up against Rochdale with next week’s play-off games in mind.

Nicky Ajose, Ben Reeves and Josh Magennis - players who have been key in Charlton’s revival - were rested.

And they were missed as Charlton registered just two shots on target.

Bowyer added: “I brought Jake [Forster-Caskey] off for the last half an hour, I wanted to give him some rest.

“The front two of Sullay Kaikai and Michal Zyro, I thought Kaikai did well. He got into good positions and looked positive.

“I was disappointed with some things but happy with some things. It wasn't about today, we already did the hard work [to get into the play-offs]. It’s just about Thursday now.”

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