Cambridge United head coach Neil Harris feels his side deserved to beat Charlton Athletic after Gassan Ahadme brace earns point

Cambridge United head coach Neil Harris expressed that he felt his side deserved all three points after they came from 2-0 down against Charlton Athletic to equalise in stoppage-time and earn the new U’s boss a point in his first game in charge.

United dominated first half proceedings at the Valley but, after a goalless 45, the Addicks broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute through Alife May.

A goal from Chem Campbell just nine minutes later doubled the home side’s advantage as it looked like Harris was about to lose his first game in the U’s dugout.

Striker Gassan Ahadme gave the United hope on the 87th minute before the 23-year-old was given the chance to net his and Cambridge’s second in the 96th minute from the spot.

The Moroccan stepped up and dispatched his spot kick to send the 1,373 travelling United faithful into jubilation in South London.

“Ultimately we scored two late goals and people will say we nicked a point, we didn’t. We deserved a point, in fact we probably deserved three,” said Harris speaking to the club’s official YouTube channel.

“I said to the players before the game there’s going to be moments of adversity and that we were going to have to show some character, resolve and what Cambridge United really stands for which is togetherness and values that we believe in as a group.

“And I thought we did. I thought the substitutes came on and made an impact.”

The U’s recorded seven attempts at goal in the first 45 minutes and the 46-year-old described his side’s first half display as ‘outstanding’.

“We could have easily been three or four up at half-time, deservedly. Fair play to Charlton, they started the second half well and we didn’t quite respond. But again, focusing on us, Gassan with two goals and we had the character to come from behind,” said the ex-Millwall and Cardiff City boss.

“We could have possible won the game. It’s a big point for us.

“You come to the Valley and you come to Charlton, we were that good first half their fans were frustrated, we knew there would be a reaction at some stage. You expect the home team in any game of football to have a 10,15,20 minute spell and you have to ride it.

“We didn’t quite deal with that 20 minute spell as well as we feel we should have but I’d rather focus on the positive of how good we were for 45 minutes and then how good we were for the last 20 minutes as well.

“I think we’ve got good players, I think we’ve got a good group and I’ve seen some really good performances in the games I’ve watched.

“We know we have to fix the top end of the pitch but we’ve got players I feel can score goals. We saw that in Gassan getting on the scoresheet twice today and we scored four goals last week.

“The players have got the ability to do it. It’s about getting them higher up the pitch and in the positions and also we have a transfer window to boost numbers.

A video on Cambridge United’s X account shows the U’s fans celebrating with the players after the full-time whistle as the home fans filtered out of the ground.

“The togetherness off the pitch with the fans that have supported the team today, that’s as good as I’ve seen at anytime here at the Valley,” said Harris.

“They stuck with the players, they believe in the players. The ovation the players got at the end, they deserved it but the fans deserved it as well.

“That was the Cambridge United spirit that I know and we want to see that togetherness between the terrace and the pitch.”