Karl Robinson has defended the timing of his substitutions in Charlton’s 1-1 draw against Bradford.

The Addicks boss waited until the 84th minute to bring on Michal Zyro before introducing Nicky Ajose moments later.

The pair were thrown on after Tyrell Robinson cancelled out Josh Magennis’ opener.

Bradford were growing into the game before the equaliser and there was a suggestion that Robinson could have made his substitutions earlier.

But the Liverpudlian explained: “Sometimes you're eager to make a sub. But the game was so frantic to come on to that level of speed.

“It’s different when you're getting beat, you can make a number of changes because you're on the back foot. When we’ve put subs on in the 80th minute in recent weeks, it’s taken them two or three minutes to get into the game and we don’t have time.

“It’s funny because people say ‘you could've put a defensive substitution on’ but we did that against Doncaster and we got criticised for putting a defensive substitution on.

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“We put two offensive substitutions on against Oxford and got criticised for putting two offensive substitutions on.

“And if you don't put any substitutions on, you get criticised for not making any decisions.

“With the substitutions we made on Saturday and against Bradford, we've conceded two goals through two deflections. You can’t knock my players for that, please don’t.”

Charlton would have leapfrogged sixth-placed Bradford if they had held on for the win.

The Addicks, who remain two points behind the Bantams, have thrown away a lead for the third game in a row.

Robinson added: “We’re two points behind Bradford with two games in hand and a few points ahead of the teams below us.

“Come on, we’re not in that much of a bad position. We were in a lot worse last year, it’s just that we built up such a frenzy and excitement [around this season].”

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