Charlton manager says the London Road pitch was ‘unplayable’ and bemoaned his side’s sloppy defending after defeat at Peterborough United

Bowyer also blamed defensive sloppiness for his side’s 2-1 defeat, one that leaves his side in sixth place, three points behind fifth-placed Posh having played two more games.

Sammie Szmodics struck twice in the second-half for Posh after former London Road favourite Conor Washington had opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 14th minute.

Bowyer told the South London Press: “I thought it was a horrible game to watch. The conditions were horrendous. The pitch was not playable. It was very scrappy. It became a bit of a battle. A battle that I thought we were on top. We competed well. And again, mistakes. We were in full control. 1-0 up. Everything they threw at us, we did well first 45 minutes. Back four, solid. Any attempts they had were from distance and didn’t trouble Ben [Amos] at all. We were in full control until, again, a single punt down the pitch and the fella runs through and has a one on one. It wasn’t good enough. I don’t know what more I can say about it.

“What I will say is that the players gave me everything. I just walked around after the game, shook everyone’s hand and said: ‘Look, as a manager, what is important to me is that they just gave me 100 percent.’ Worked their socks off. They compete. Obviously, I want us to play well. Today was not that day, not on that pitch.

“Taking away the couple of mistakes that they scored them, I thought we were very good. Full control of the game. So, very disappointing. We ain’t miles off it. It’s just stupid mistakes that are costing us.”