Karl Robinson says he let down Charlton fans after they lost 1-0 to Portsmouth on the club’s 25th anniversary back at the Valley.
Josh Magennis’ own goal was enough to give Pompey a deserved win against a lacklustre Addicks side.
Charlton lacked creativity throughout the commemorative game, and looked sluggish at times.
Despite the long injury list, and crocked players just returning to first-team action, Robinson refused to use any excuses for his side's display in front of a bumper gate of 16,351 fans.
He said: “I won’t use injuries as a way out. We were excellent in the first 20 minutes but didn't create enough chances in the game.
“Our forwards at the moment are not creating as many chances as they did at the start of the season, but we've certainly got a top quality group of players finding their way back to fitness.
“Maybe Tariqe Fosu is a bigger loss than we thought. We’ve got to get him back fit - I told the players that in the dressing room.
“I don't want to make excuses I’m telling you how it is. We haven't created enough chances.
“It was a wonderful atmosphere. I’m on the floor. I feel I’ve let people down. The beginning of the day was unreal - I won’t experience it again.”
Magennis headed a wicked Gareth Evans free-kick into his own net on 47 minutes.
Jay Dasilva was penalised for fouling Evans in the build-up to the goal - and the linesman had signalled for a foul on the young full-back - but referee Andrew Madley overruled the decision.
Robinson added: “For their goal, the assistant referee gave a foul to us.
“I told the referee we've coached Jay Dasilva to defend like that so maybe if he understood how to coach young players we would've got the free-kick.
“He felt there was a foul two seconds before. When someone who is 5ft tall goes up against someone who is 6ft 2ins, Jay's got to put all his force into that.
“The referee knows he's got it wrong.”
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