Boss Jim Magilton slammed his side's first half display during the 3-1 defeat at Charlton Athletic. Town conceded three goals during a woeful 45 minutes in which Charlton keeper Nicky Weaver was a spectator.

Magilton said he would like to have subbed half his team at the break: "I was embarrassed, we were so poor. If I could have made six substitutions I would have done.

"The first half was totally unacceptable. We can't keep giving cheap goals away. It was the worst performance since I have been in charge and I would have understood it if we had lost the fans, especially after we missed a penalty at the start of the second half.

“They stayed with the players though, and I think the performance they got in the second half showed some pride.

"We set a team out to match them, but in the first half we never got near them. We lacked character and bravery, especially in midfield and that really disappointed me.

"There is only so much you can do as a manager. When the players walk across that white line they have to take responsibility. They have to stand up and be counted and not enough players did that and that is very frustrating.

"We put Pablo on after their second goal and the lad did well. Gavin Williams has been struggling with a sore toe. To be fair he was desperate to play, but it didn't work out.

"In the second half we showed how we can go about our business, which was an important statement to make."

The Town manager praised referee Neil Swarbrick for the way he handled the clash between players after Jonathan Fortune punched Alan Lee after the final whistle: “I thought the referee handled the situation very well, as did the Charlton staff, but I can't comment on what Fortune did because I didn't see it.”

Charlton boss Alan Pardew was hugely impressed with his side's performance: "In the first half we were sublime. It's nice to be able to show the fans what we can do.

"It's very important to get your home form going if you are going to win promotion. We changed it around a bit and didn't give Ipswich a sniff.

"The second half was strange, they had used all their subs and had offensive players on the pitch and we should have dealt with it better. But I can't take anything away from a great win."

Pardew had no arguments about Fortune's sending off: "They had been having a really good battle and it's a shame they couldn't shake hands and walk off afterwards.

"Jon has had a bit of a crazy moment there and it will cost him a fine and his place in the team through suspension."

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