Bob Peeters insisted Charlton deserved victory after they impressively fought back in the second-half of the 1-1 draw with Cardiff City.

After Tom Adeyemi’s header and Callum Harriott’s red card the hosts were a goal and a man down at half-time but they significantly improved after the break and secured an equaliser with minutes remaining from Johann Berg Gudmundsson.

Igor Vetokele struck well over the bar when one-on-one with goalkeeper David Marshall despite both time and space in the last move of the game, partly inspiring Peeters’ belief that Charlton’s many missed chances should have led to victory.

“I think we should have won it, to be honest,” said Peeters.

“They had one throw-in, scored a goal, then we were down to 10 men after 32 minutes, so you know it’s going to be difficult.

“We said to the players, ‘keep this result until half-time’.

“For the second half, we said ‘we’re gonna start the first five, 10 minutes the same way, then we’re gonna take some risks’.

“We put Oguchi [Onewyu] on to have some physicality at the back, because they [Cardiff] were aiming for throw-ins and set-pieces. We went three at the back and put a striker on.

“In the second half we battered them. If Igor [Vetokele] scores late, in the last second, the roof would have come off at The Valley, because the fans were loving every minute of the second half, especially with 10 men.

“I’m very pleased with the way my players responded.

“This is the best I’ve seen us play, especially with 10 men.

“Everything was in it. A lot of determination. We scored a cracking goal, we hit the post twice. We had enough chances to win the game.

“The result is not pleasant, but the way we performed must give us a mental boost, especially when [substitute] Igor Vetokele was not fit.”

Vetokele is the only striker to have consistently convinced so far this season, making the improving Harriott’s red card, for a foul on Craig Noone, a significant disappointment.

In his absence, George Tucudean impressed with both his work-rate and purpose, and in his understanding with Vetokele, suggesting he is likely to remain in Charlton’s starting line up even as they target a new striker in the January transfer window.

“I thought George Tucudean did very well as well, it was not easy,” Peeters added.

“We changed Nick Pope because he was unlucky a bit, the last few games, and then you play your third goalkeeper, Neil Etheridge. I think he was fantastic. That will give him a boost.

“Only the result was unfair I think, but for the rest I’m proud of my team today.”

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