Powell hails Harriott after youngster impresses at Posh (From This Is Local London)

Powell hails Harriott after youngster impresses at Posh

1:00pm Wednesday 6th March 2013 in Latest Sport By George Jones

CHRIS Powell praised the impact made by youngster Callum Harriott in last night’s 2-2 draw at relegation threatened Peterborough United.

The young winger, who turned 19 on Monday, was a surprise inclusion in Powell’s starting XI, as he made three changes to the side which lost 1-0 to Burnley on Saturday.

After a quiet opening period, Harriott burst into life after the break and supplied Johnnie Jackson with a pinpoint pass for the equaliser, which earned him plaudits from his manager.

Powell said: “I’m very pleased for him, he’s a young fearless boy, or man I should say.

“He’s got a lot of quality and he certainly showed that with his pass to Johnnie Jackson for the equaliser.

“His work-rate was good, he did some really good things under pressure and he’ll only get better.

“The experience will stand him in good stead, not only for the rest of the season but for the future.

“We have high hopes for him and hopefully he’ll produce more again.”

The Addicks had started the match well and were almost ahead early on through Lawrie Wilson’s thunderous drive which cannoned back off of Bobby Olejnik’s crossbar.

However, they fell behind midway through the opening period to a Danny Swanson goal.

Jackson’s second half leveller and a quick-fire second from Danny Haynes had Powell’s men on course for their eighth away win of the season.

But they were unable to hang on as Michael Bostwick got Posh level with a low drive from just outside of the area 20 minutes from time.

Victory would have moved Charlton onto 46 points, but Powell admitted defeat would have been harsh on either side and was pleased to have stopped the rot after back-to-back home defeats.

The Valley boss said: “I’m sure it was a good game for the neutral point of view, but emotions were high and low for myself and Darren Ferguson.

“We started off really well, hit the bar and flashed a few chances across goal but then went 1-0 down with a well-taken goal.

“So we just needed to regroup at half-time and we got a response from the players, especially after Peterborough could have scored straight from kick-off.

“There was a great response from them and two good goals, then you are just hoping to see it out because we’ve been good away from home.

“We had a chance to possibly go 3-1 up and really they are the vital moments you need to take when you are looking to get three points, home and away.

“I suppose overall a point each was about right.”

Powell added: “I thought Johnnie Jackson was exceptional, he took his goal really well.

“Then we had that period where we really made it count.

“Danny Haynes got his goal and then we really needed to either get the third or seal it up, but in sort of keeping with the game Peterborough got a second.

“Then we could have lost it right at the end.

“It was end-to-end and we cleared one off the line.

“They blocked one from Jon Obika as well and I think overall we had 10 chances and so did they, so I think 2-2 is fair.

“It was vitally important we didn’t carry on that losing streak.

“I know it’s not a secret that our home form has not been good enough and when we have got two away games, then we are looking to win them both the way we have been going.

“We had the chances to win, but at least we have come away with something and it keeps Peterborough away and we’ve got to keep as many teams below us as we can.

“It is about Huddersfield now. It will be a tight game, they’re on the same points and have played the same number of games and we’ll be aiming again to get something positive from that.”

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