Cup defeat gives moaners a boost

League Two Cambridge United beat Championship Charlton Athletic to reach the third round of the Carabao Cup and moaners rounded on Nathan Jones.

The shell shocked supremo told BBC Radio London: "I thought we were way, way off. I don't want to use any adjectives that are disrespectful but we were way off our level, we were outbattled, outfought.

"There's three or four things in all those goals that we could have done better, that we do well normally.  I didn't see any fight, any energy. Normally we outwork, out-press, outrun teams. Tonight I can't remember us doing that."

Jones changed his entire starting XI from Saturday's defeat to Leicester City and the U's made the much stronger start to the game, with goals from James Brophy and Kylian Kouassi putting them 2-0 up inside 30 minutes.

Ibrahim Fullah struck from range to halve the deficit just before half-time with his second goal in two EFL Cup games this season.

Zak Bradshaw restored the home side's two-goal lead 10 minutes into the second half before Neil Harris' side saw out a deserved win against the Addicks, who had Karoy Anderson sent off deep into added time for catching Ibsen Rossi in the head with a high boot.

Summer signings Charlie Kelman and Tanto Olaofe came into the Charlton side both looking for their first goals for the club, while Joe Rankin-Costello and Harvey Knibbs were also included as Jones gave his new players a chance at the Cledara Abbey Stadium.

But the visitors looked disjointed in the early stages and the visitors took full advantage as Brophy swept home his third goal of the season following a neat cutback from Elias Kachunga.  Blackpool loanee Kouassi doubled the lead on 29 minutes as he outmuscled Charlton defender Zach Mitchell before clinically finishing past Ashley Maynard-Brewer for his first goal for the club.

Charlton improved as the half wore on and a moment of quality from Fullah brought them back into the game.   The 18-year-old cut inside from the left before smashing an effort past U's keeper Jake Eastwood with a minute of normal time remaining in the first half.

Bradshaw reacted quickest following a strong save from Charlton goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer to deny Kachunga and put the hosts in control on 55 minutes with his first goal at EFL level.

Both sides made several changes in the second half which was interrupted by multiple head injuries, resulting in 14 minutes of added time at the end.   But the Addicks would not find a way back and had Anderson sent off as he made contact with the head of Rossi in the Cambridge box and was shown a red card.

The word from the King’s Head at Deal is that this is the worst cup defeat since Northwich Victoria, but that was televised.   It would have been nice to progress, but minutes have to be given to players who have lacked them.