Nathan Jones reacts to Charlton Athletic play-off final victory with ‘Premier League gamble’ he took to join club

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After five years without Championship football, Charlton Athletic are back in the second tier after beating Leyton Orient 1-0 in the play-off final at Wembley.

Macaulay Gillesphey curled home a free-kick for Charlton Athletic to take the lead. Nathan Jones’ side defended resolutely throughout the remainder of the game against Orient. While Charlton attacked much better to end the season, it was their defensive solidity that mattered

Last time out, Charlton won the League One play-offs thanks to a freak goal but there was nothing wrong with Gillesphey’s strike, albeit the game wasn’t a classic like the last time Charlton faced Leyton Orient.

Leyton Orient got a helping hand against Stockport County in the first leg after a controversial offside call, but there was no such drama at Wembley today. Jones’ side remained in cruise control for most of the game.

• READ MORE: What Charlton Athletic and Leyton Orient can learn from the last five League One play-off final winners

Nathan Jones’ first words after Charlton seal promotion

Nathan Jones is a divisive EFL figure particularly for supporters of Southampton and Stoke City. However, Charlton’s resurgence under his tutelage has also been impressive and promotion is a fitting end to the season, taking them from 16th in League One and into the Championship.

Connor Coventry was at the heart of Charlton’s team and conducting the game with Greg Docherty. But it wasn’t always easy, with intensity and aggression required in their engine room and in heading every ball out.

Some, including EFL expert Sam Parkin, believed Orient would beat Charlton. But Jones’ men battled and won. He admitted it wasn’t easy post-match to Sky Sports, while also outlining the risk he took in dropping into the third tier.

Jones said: “This isn’t relief, this is euphoria now. “We’ve had to battle. We didn’t play well today. But we’ve defended, really, really well.

“But those are the principles we instilled. To come here and to keep a clean sheet? So, so happy.

“Bit of relief but the majority of it is euphoria and pride for the work that they’ve done.

“Look at the headers they’ve won. This is a good Leyton Orient side. They’ve hardly had a chance on goal.

“That’s just down to our defence’s response. I’m so proud. So proud. So proud of this club.

“Great club. I came here wanting to build something. I took a gamble. I dropped two divisions, my last job was in the Premier League.

“But I knew I could build something. This is the first step. Now, we kick on.

“It’s outstanding. We put the work in. The staff put the work in. Players buy into gameplans and sacrifice everything.

“Families, everyone makes sacrifices; this is the reward.”

• READ MORE: Leyton Orient boss makes ‘life-changing’ admission ahead of League One play-off final vs Charlton Athletic

Paul Mortimer reacts to Charlton and Nathan Jones success

Charlton fans will hope Nathan Jones remains and builds in the second tier now, with relief for the club after five years in League One. Paul Mortimer is a former Charlton midfielder and he spoke via BBC Radio London to provide his thoughts.

Mortimer said: “I am rarely lost for words and today it was just a wonderful day for Charlton, and the best team clearly did not win – there is no disputing that.

“Leyton Orient were the better team in the second half, but the foundation for Charlton was their defence and the way they defended.

“I’m sitting here and I’m trying to stay calm throughout the game as I know if Charlton defend like they can do, Orient are not scoring.

“I feel for Orient — they were a good side, but it was always going to be about the first goal and Charlton got it.”