Charlton’s 1-0 defeat to Preston was a game to forget according to Lee Bowyer.

Victory would’ve sent the Addicks back into the play-off spots but that never looked like happening in a ‘sloppy’ display at The Valley.

Paul Gallagher’s penalty on the hour after Jason Pearce manhandled Jayden Stockley to the floor was enough to give Ale Neil’s side the points and send them top of the Championship.

The Charlton manager couldn’t hide his disappointment following defeat.

“I thought start to finish we were sloppy,” he said.

“We gave the ball away too much, complicated the game.

“All those things are not what we are about.

“We had some good chances but didn’t take them.

“We have to be at it every single game, and when we aren’t we don’t do so well.

“Unfortunately we weren’t at it today.”

The Charlton boss admitted his side’s mounting injury list is hindering progress but wouldn’t use that as an excuse for defeat.

“You can’t rotate and play the ones you want to play,” he said.

“But too many of them today weren’t doing the right things.

“We can’t carry any players, we all have to be at it to keep doing well in games.

“It’s difficult but we’ve got a sqaud and we’ll keep going and competing.

“We’re getting better.”

Bowyer was keen to look ahead next weekend’s trip to London rivals Millwall.

“You have to have a reaction going there.

“We’ll be ready and put this behind us.

“We’ve not had many bad games, especially at home, but we’ll put it behind us.”