SHELLSHOCKED Charlton boss Phil Parkinson said his players lacked the stomach for a fight after they crashed out of the FA Cup at Northwich.

The Addicks’ boss blamed the visitors’ attitude for their inept performance after Wayne Riley’s late winner inflicted a first ever defeat against a non-league team on the men from the Valley.

“We didn’t turn up,” he said.

“I think Northwich wanted to win the game more than we did.

“We had spoken all week to the players about what would be required to win a match like this and they simply haven’t done it.”

Charlton, currently second in League One behind Leeds United, failed to force Vics keeper Curtis Aspden to make a single save.

Their best chance, when top scorer Deon Burton had a clear sight of goal midway through the second half, saw Vics captain Ian Herring block brilliantly.

Parkinson said: “We were second best all over the pitch.

“They won the 50-50 challenges and we didn’t at any point show any of the quality that we have through the rest of the season.

“We’ve taken plaudits this season when we’ve won and played well but we have to take this defeat squarely on the chin.

“Everybody has to look at what happened, from me to the coaching staff and through the team, to find out what went wrong.”

The visitors’ inability to deal with Herring’s long throws or Lee Elam’s corners, particularly in the first half, saw Vics go close more than once.

Keeper Darren Randolph, only playing because on-loan custodian Chris Ikeme was not allowed to play and first choice number one Rob Elliot was injured, saved them twice.

First he tipped over Mat Bailey’s header from an Elam flag kick, then pawed Michael Connor’s effort out of the bottom corner after Bailey had flicked on Herring’s throw.

“I felt we handled the long throws and free kicks a lot better in the second half,” added Parkinson.

“But one moment, one header, where there was a lack of communication in our defence has allowed their guy to run clean through.

“It’s just a very disappointing day. We need a response and quickly.

“Every player needs to roll up their sleeves and react next time we play. We can perform much better than we’ve shown today.

“It’s a low point and our dressing place was a horrible place to be after the game.”