Nathan Jones felt Charlton’s second straight Sky Bet League One win was closer than it should have been as they edged past Cambridge at The Valley.
The Addicks had not won on home turf since October 5 until a 2-1 victory over a travel sick U’s outfit.
Tyreece Campbell needed just 36 seconds to put the hosts ahead. Miles Leaburn hooked a ball over the top for the attacker to whip his finish between the legs of Vicente Reyes.
Leaburn scored his sixth of the campaign in the 20th minute. Referee John Busby allowed his close-range header to stand despite City’s claims that Campbell fouled Reyes after Macaulay Gillesphey had flicked on Josh Edwards’ long throw.
Charlton are four points behind sixth-placed Reading but their recent resurgence faces a test on Sunday at home against Wycombe.
“It was probably a little bit hairier than it should’ve been,” said Addicks manager Jones.
“The first half we were excellent – really front-footed. Two-up and I’d have liked us to have got another one because we had had enough of the play and situations where we should’ve been better.
“Second-half we weren’t aggressive enough in the early stages and they took chances, played with a bit more freedom, because they were 2-0 down. They had nothing to lose at that stage. We gave a bad goal away.
“Then we showed real character and took the game back. Bez (Luke Berry) had a chance and we’ve had a lot of shots. We could have extended the lead.
“Really pleased two young players, academy products, have scored.
“We are converting him (Campbell). He has been a right-footed left winger all his career. We think in big spaces he is dangerous (through the middle).
“You look at that front three – TC, Miles and Thierry (Small) – they are all young players. They are all relatively experienced for their age but they are still learning the game.”
Cambridge have the worst away record in the league – five points from a possible 33.
United manager Garry Monk said: “It was a poor start – we conceded really poor goals. To do that in any game is always difficult and put us on the back foot.
“It was a gallant effort in the second half but the damage was done in the first half with the two goals conceded.
“We’ve had a few situations this season where early on in games we’ve conceded really poor goals. We’ve got to cut that out – give ourselves a chance.
“We’re in a situation where we need to get results. We can’t keep saying good comeback or good fight in the second half. We need to take care of business from the get-go.”
