Karl Robinson saluted his Charlton players after their gritty 4-3 win against Oldham on Saturday.
The Addicks were two goals up inside 21 minutes thanks to Ricky Holmes and Tariqe Fosu strikes, before Oldham drew level in the second-half.
Ousmane Fane’s 54th-minute red card turned the game in Charlton’s favour and they made their man advantage count with goals from Billy Clarke and debutant Joe Dodoo.
The Addicks move up to third after making it three successive league wins.
Robinson said: “I am exhausted. I don’t think we were great. We were unplayable in the first 35 minutes, but we came off it. We got sloppy.
“For some reason, one minute we’re playing one-twos, rotating and then our top players couldn't make five-yard passes. That’s unexplainable.
“That’s the first time I’ve seen the team not play so well and grind something out.
“We weren't at our best today but I come out extremely proud of my players and proud of what they've done.”
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Kean Byrne pulled the score back to 4-3 with eight minutes remaining, but Charlton’s resilience got them over the line.
It might have been a match that the Addicks would have drawn or lost in previous seasons, however, this is a new-look, determined Charlton side.
Charlton still have Josh Magennis, Jay Dasilva, Mark Marshall, Harry Lennon and Lewis Page to come back into an in-form squad.
Robinson added: “I love working with the team and once we get our unavailable players back in the squad, we’re going to be a team to look at and be fearful.
“Four games on the road, get us home! It’s been a lot of travelling and it’s been hard for the players and staff.
“To win three on the spin at any level shows our players’ mentality. We know we weren't good today, no player is kidding themselves. We’ve got higher levels to go to.”
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