Cray Valley have gotten one other match so as to add to their crammed fixture schedule – however supervisor Steve McKimm just isn’t about to complain about an FA Cup replay at house to Charlton.
The Eltham-based membership are 117 locations and 5 leagues beneath the Addicks however their spirited second-half efficiency meant they totally deserved one other crack at reaching the second spherical of the competitors after a 1-1 draw at The Valley.
Cray, who play within the Isthmian League South East Division, have misplaced simply one in all their 20 matches this season and Kyrell Lisbie – the son of former Charlton striker Kevin – produced the cross which Lucas Ness slid into his personal web to equalise simply three minutes into the second half.
It cancelled out Scott Fraser’s ninth-minute opener for the League One hosts.
McKimm and his gamers celebrated in entrance of their 1,998 followers who had made the brief journey.
“I’m extraordinarily proud – my workers get a point out as a result of they’re an unbelievable assist community and the gamers are the star of the present,” stated McKimm. “They’re those who go on the market and do it.
“Charlton should not removed from the play-offs. They’ve good gamers and a superb supervisor. We knew we couldn’t come and simply be expansive.
“However what I did like is, going 1-0 down, my gamers didn’t freeze. They sorted the ball. We weren’t a smash-and-grab crew at this time. We performed some actually good soccer.
“Testomony to my gamers as a result of they ended up bringing on 5 of their beginning or 16 that play week in and week out in League One.
“I’m not going to child anybody. We didn’t play Charlton’s first crew however we performed a crew that is stuffed with professionals, prepare on daily basis and have the health and diet – and my boys had been excellent. It’s particular.”
Charlton head coach Michael Appleton made 11 adjustments from their final outing – with one eye arguably on subsequent weekend’s journey to leaders Portsmouth.
Charlie Kirk had an amazing likelihood to revive their lead shortly after the part-timers had levelled however Millers goalkeeper Sam Freeman saved together with his legs.
Chem Campbell headed vast from shut vary within the first half from Fraser’s pinpoint nook whereas Slobodan Tedic clipped the highest of the crossbar.
Appleton stated: “I used to be disenchanted with the performances of among the gamers. I anticipated a bit of bit extra.
“Most likely up till the aim it was okay – nonetheless a bit of bit protected by just a few gamers, not likely seeking to make the influence I anticipated to.
“There was a number of nervousness after the aim and so they struggled after that. It was a tough watch at instances.
“If I’d made a unique choice it might have been a unique state of affairs, however generally you’ve bought to handle and stability the group as finest you probably can.
“The beginning 11 was greater than able to profitable the sport. I nonetheless imagine that, regardless of how poor among the performances had been.
“I take full accountability for selecting the crew and clearly it was the flawed one. A minimum of we’ve bought a second crack at it.”
