Neil Redfearn admitted his frustration after seeing his side surrender their lead and suffer a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Charlton Athletic on Saturday afternoon.

United had dominated for large spells at The Valley and had numerous sights of goal, with Billy Sharp seeing his first-half penalty tipped onto the post before Steve Morison opened the scoring with an emphatic 40th-minute volley.

The hosts hit back late in the second half, though, and managed to turn the game on its head with two goals in the space of five minutes courtesy of Tony Watt’s back-post volley and Yoni Buyen’s spot-kick.

“It’s frustrating. I thought we played really well in the first half,” said Redfearn.

“We talked about it at half-time, the need to start the second half well. I didn’t think we started it badly, but we just didn’t start with the same momentum.

“We let them get back into it.

“It’s disappointing because we missed a penalty and could’ve been 2-0 up. It would’ve been a different picture for them.

“To be fair to these lads, they’ve given everything for us and I can’t go criticising them today.

“There are a lot of things that have happened, but they’ve got the club in a safe position.

“It’s not ideal, the run that we’re on, but things that have happened have taken their toll.

“The support was fantastic again for the players.

“I thought, for large spells, we played well. We’ve just lost our way a little bit.

“With momentum, when you’re playing well and winning, those chances go in.

“You get the confidence to do things instinctively. It’s like the Fulham game – we were under the cosh but our finishing was unbelievable and we won 3-0.”

On Morison’s strike, his first goal of the season, Redfearn added: “It was a great finish, I’m pleased for the lad.

“He’s soldiered away for us and has played that lone striker role for long enough.

“We had two up there today and I thought the pair of them did well. I’m pleased for Steve.”