Nathan Jones lauds ‘outstanding’ point after Charlton snatch draw at Hull

Manager Nathan Jones praised the attitude of his players after Charlton snatched a 1-1 draw at Hull thanks to substitute Luke Berry’s stoppage-time equaliser at the MKM Stadium.

Berry’s header earned his side a share of the spoils after Joe Gelhardt’s early second-half strike had put the Tigers ahead.

The Addicks are the surprise package of the season so far after winning promotion via the League One play-offs.

But the Tigers have also shocked the pundits, who had them tipped to be among the struggling sides this campaign.

Jones said: “It’s an outstanding point. If you are any team in the Championship, seven points (from the last three games) is an excellent return.

“We have had to dig in. We made a big error to allow them to take the lead.

“To beat Sheffield Wednesday, to beat Ipswich on the road and to draw with a flying Hull is great.

“You can be a bit more upbeat about a seven-point week in the Championship because that is outstanding.

“Getting a point in the Championship is excellent. I’m so proud of the group. This (result) isn’t in isolation because we have had seven points in a week.

“Sometimes I’m a bit animated when people question they are Luton players but they are my players. I signed them for that club. James Bree does what he does (with the corner) and Luke Berry does what he does.”

City took the lead with the first attack of the second half as Gelhardt pounced on a mistake as Charlton tried to play out of defence, shooting low into the corner for his third goal in as many games.

But, without injured leading scorer Oli McBurnie, they lacked the cutting edge to put the game beyond Charlton who pounced late on to secure a draw.

Berry’s deflected shot won Charlton a stoppage-time corner which Bree floated in for an unmarked Berry to head home.

Charlton had not tested Hull for much of the game, with an early effort by Tyreece Campbell their best chance during a bright start before Berry struck.

Hull boss Sergej Jakirovic admitted his disappointment at conceding a late equaliser.

He said: “It is disappointing but I’m proud of the players because we have taken 10 points from four games.

“We have players there to defend when the ball is coming in. Maybe we lost our stature inside the box.”

Hull took seven points in the last week with wins against Birmingham and Leicester before the Charlton draw and Jakirovic declared himself satisfied with that return.

He added: “If you offered me this before these three games I would say yes.

“We had a lot of problems before this game, especially in some positions and this is the reason we change our formation.

“We were very successful against long balls but I felt we just lacked a second goal.

“You cannot replace Oli McBurnie with his quality but Kyle Joseph gave everything.

“Maybe it would be easier for us with McBurnie but it is what it is.”

Jakirovic added on scorer Gelhardt: “This is Joe, this is what he does, and he helps us a lot.”