How Nathan Jones has reacted to ‘lazy’ Charlton Athletic flashpoint v Ipswich Town | OneFootball

Nathan Jones has reacted to the penalty Charlton Athletic conceded in their defeat to Ipswich Town

Charlton Athletic still have work to do to secure their Championship status following their 2-1 defeat to Ipswich Town on Wednesday.

The Addicks sit six points clear of the relegation zone with just two games remaining, meaning that a draw against either Hull City or Swansea City will keep them in the second tier - defeats though, coupled with two wins for Oxford United against Sheffield Wednesday and Millwall, would send them down.

Nathan Jones' men took the lead within one minute against Ipswich, but Darnell Furlong's goal and Jaden Philogene's penalty ensured that the automatic promotion chasers claimed all three points.

Charlton haven't won since defeating Middlesbrough 1-0 on March 11, which has helped Oxford United stay within catching distance of the South London outfit.

Nathan Jones issues verdict on key incident as Charlton Athletic suffer defeat to Ipswich Town

Oxford face rock-bottom Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, which puts more pressure on Jones' side, as Matt Bloomfield's men will be expecting a victory against the Owls.

The decisive moment in Charlton's costly defeat to Ipswich came when Macaulay Gillesphey pulled Furlong's arm in the penalty area, prompting the referee to point to the spot.

Philogene made no mistake from 12 yards and ensured that the Tractor Boys leapfrogged Millwall into the automatic promotion spots, while still boasting a game in hand over the Lions.

Discussing the penalty conceded by his team, Jones told the East Anglian Daily Times: "You can't grab people in the box. It's cheap, it's lazy.

"We give a cheap foul away for the penalty, and you can't afford to do that against good teams. It's a cheap one, and that's what's costing us at the minute. We need to do the basics better."

The Charlton boss will also be concerned by the fact that Amari'i Bell, Tyreece Campbell, and Matty Godden were all withdrawn through injury during their defeat against Ipswich.

Jones' men will have to dust themselves off and prepare for their clash with Hull this Saturday, knowing that a point is enough to keep them in the Championship, but their recent form will be a real worry to fans who still do not see their team confirmed as a Championship outfit for next season.

Hull City's poor form may bolster Charlton Athletic's survival chances

Charlton could retain their Championship status even if they lose both of their remaining games, if relegation rivals Oxford fail to earn two victories.

However, the Addicks want to secure their second-tier future on their own terms and will be eyeing a win, or at least a draw, when they host Hull on Saturday.

The Tigers remain level on points with sixth-place Wrexham, but their play-off destiny is no longer in their own hands following their 2-2 draw with now-relegated Leicester City on Tuesday.

Sergej Jakirovic's men have failed to win any of their last five Championship games, so their poor form makes them an ideal opponent for Charlton.

Hull have lost their momentum at exactly the wrong time, whereas Wrexham have successfully earned successive wins over Stoke City and Oxford.

The Red Dragons will also fancy their chances of beating Coventry City on Sunday, because the Sky Blues have already been crowned as second-tier champions, meaning that Frank Lampard could rotate his team.

Charlton, meanwhile, have their eyes firmly set on inflicting yet another poor result on Hull, as their Championship safety is not yet a certainty.