REACTION: MILLS POST CHARLTON ATHLETIC (A)

CARETAKER Manager Gary Mills says he thought the Brewers were worthy of at least a point following today’s dramatic late draw at The Valley.

Ryan Sweeney’s close range finish in added time secured a point on the road and Mills believes it’s the minimum Albion deserved.

“It’s a good point here against a good side and it’s the least we deserved”, said Mills.

“I’m really proud of the group – the players, staff, the fans. We had a little chat at half time, asked the lads to empty the tank, play with pride, and that performance was as good as it’s been this season.

“We started brightly and changed shape today, we put three attackers up top, went narrow, played 3-4-3 and had a real go.

“We nearly took the lead early on, but when that doesn’t go in and somehow stays out, you do think here we go and that it could be one of them days. They then went down the other end and we thought we could have done better to stop the cross, but they score with a good header. What we did after that though was show togetherness and a never say die attitude.

“I think you could see what we’ve worked on this week – we had more entries into the final third then we did at Oxford. We had more crossed, more shots, shown more bravery, and again it’s a slow process. The lads deserved that late goal through their effort and desire.”

Mills says the squad now turn all their focus to Boxing Day’s home clash with Blackpool, and hopes that Brewers fans turn out again and back the side in the same manner as they did during today’s trip to Charlton.

“Our fans were brilliant today – never once did they get on the players back and they back them throughout. They helped to suck the ball in the net in the second half and we want to thank them for that.

“Blackpool are a very good side – if not one of the best teams in the division. We know it’s going to be tough but hopefully on today’s performance we can add some more confidence in the bank. We are a good side and the lads are trying their best, so hopefully our fans come down to the Pirelli on Boxing Day and make it a good atmosphere.”