CHARLTON manager Phil Parkinson is finally happy with his squad’s size after capturing a further trio of players on Bank Holiday Monday ahead of the transfer deadline.

Parky snapped up two free agents in Joe Anyinsah and returning Addicks favourite Jon Fortune, as well as finally recruiting striker Paul Benson from Charlton’s opponents in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, Dagenham and Redbridge.

Benson made his debut just 24 hours after the deal was done against the Daggers, receiving a warm response from the visiting supporters prior to kick-off, only to come close to scoring past his old team-mates on several occasions in a tight and hard-fought encounter.

However, it was Therry Racon who netted the decisive goal just shy of the hour mark – and the midfield maestro celebrated the goal as well as the impending birth of his first child by shoving the match ball up his shirt.

Akpo Sodje also had the ball in the Essex boys’ net soon after only for his close range tap-in after Daggers keeper Chris Lewington had saved well from Benson to be rightly ruled out for offside.

Further chances came the way of Lee Martin and Simon Francis, who’d both entered strong performances for the Reds, and Parkinson’s men survived a late spell of pressure to secure their names in the hat for the second round draw on Saturday morning.

Of the result, Parky said: "I know what this team is capable of but tonight was a difficult game.

“I thought we coped with Dagenham's style of play very well and restricted their efforts on goal.

"You have to deal with long throws and balls in the channel and wait for those one or two moments of quality in the game as they don't allow you to play.

“Our moment came with Therry's goal and there were a few other moments when we had chances to score.

"After Saturday it was important we got back to winning ways. I knew Daggers would be incredibly up for the game.

“Of course the league is the main priority but it doesn't harm us to keep winning games and we're pleased.”

Monday’s hat-trick of new recruits brings the Addicks to a suitable squad size for the grind of the league and cup campaigns in Parkinson’s mind, though he refused to rule out a couple of further additions in the post-window loan market.

He explained: "Obviously, we have the option of loans, but I feel we have a reasonably balanced squad and we've got some versatile players.

“We've now got to work hard to find the best balance home and away.”

Charlton: Worner, Francis, Dailly, Llera, Fry, Martin (Reid 85), Semedo (McCormack 86), Racon, Wagstaff, Sodje (Abbott 67), Benson. Subs not used: Gough, Doherty. Att: 4,630