Pardew finds decision hard to handle

Alan Pardew slammed a controversial handball decision by referee's assistant Steve Artis after it robbed him of a winning start as Charlton manager against Fulham.

Charlton were on the brink of their fourth win of the season at 2-1 ahead, but with just one minute of added time left Artis flagged for handball against Djimi Traore. The Charlton defence failed to deal with Michael Brown's subsequent free-kick and Franck Queudrue drove in the equaliser.

"It was almost an unfathomable decision," Pardew said. "I am absolutely disgusted. Mistakes happen, but the official made a bad mistake. We were two minutes from ecstasy, but now we feel deflated."

He added: "I felt a little bit aggrieved at the time because I didn't think there was anything in it. But having seen it again, I am really, really disappointed.

"Our players were getting a little bit nervous, being a bit rash and making poor decisions towards the end of the game, but that is be expected - but not from the linesman and referee.

"I thought Djimi might have handled the ball, but he is such an honest boy and said he didn't touch it with his hand. It is quite obvious.

"The players have had a lot of blows this season and now they have had to take another one. But the character they showed after conceding the first goal and putting in a full-hearted performance was commendable.

"I was just happy with the attitude of the players. There were times when we looked rash and ugly, but you could not fault the commitment and effort.

"It's a blow to the fans and they didn't deserve it for the effort they gave us. It is a horrible game at times.

"Unfortunately we couldn't deliver the win, but it wasn't for the want of trying. Any points dropped are difficult to stomach. But it is not a killer blow - it is a point gained and we go forward."