Charlton manager Chris Powell was naturally delighted his side avoided an embarassing defeat in front of the television cameras.

The Addicks were prepared for the early onslaught at the start of both halves and, as so often happens in this type of contest, fitness began to play a part and the Addicks won by a comfortable margin. Here are Powell’s thoughts:

“I knew Halifax would be very spirited and determined and a decent football team, which I expect from Neil Aspin and Lee Nogan and they certainly made a good game of it.

“Of course, it’s in cup ties like this that the unfancied side normally wants to put you under pressure and they certainly did that at the start of both halves.

“It was always important that we were ready for that physically and mentally, which I felt we were.

“They never let us settle for the first 20-25 minutes, but we stayed in the game, which was important.

“I felt that we scored at a good time in the first half, and in the second period again, we had to weather the storm.

“Our fitness, I felt, told towards the end of the half. Maybe 4-0 flatters us a little, but it’s a tricky game that we have come through,” said Chris, who went on to explain the importance of the timing of Matt Taylor’s opener, “It came at a good time but I felt we had the chances off set-plays.

“Matt Taylor had a header previous to the one he scored which was well saved by the keeper but once he got in there again, it was a clever header in the end.

“Five or six minutes before half-time was a vital time and we saw the half out but I just knew it would happen again (in the second half).

“The back four were on their game and John Sullivan made a key save in the second period at 1-0 when Halifax had a bit of pressure.

“That’s why they are there – they are there to keep the goals out and make last-ditch tackles. Chris Solly made a really crucial one on Jason (St Juste) when he came on.

“They are vital moments when they go for you, and when you have the quality we have going forward, you can make teams pay and we certainly did that.”

Flying left-winger, Jason St Juste, added a new dimension to Halifax’s attacking play when he came on, something Powell was quick to ackmowledge:

“Neil made some positive changes to try to get something out of the game. I thought Halifax played well and both sets of fans made it a good atmosphere.

“It was well refereed but, sadly, what I felt spoiled the day was a straight red card for their player. If you take that incident out of today’s game, it was a very good cup tie, the sort of cup tie that the FA Cup is all about.

“Ultimately, you don’t want to be a victim of a giant-killing, which is obviously what could have happened today.

“We were very professional throughout and I’m very happy that we got the result in the end,” sais the manager,

Charlton ran in three late goals and debutant Michael Smith, and Bradley Pritchard with a follow up, had the opportunity to add a fifth. The locals felt the scoreline flattered Charlton but in truth, John Sullivan was only called upon to make one serious save. Powell was diplomatic and said:

“You’ve got to take your chances and be clinical when thy come around which I felt we were today.

“Obviously, they were down to 10 men for the last 10 minutes and maybe you think overall 4-0 may flatter us, but we were clinical and we took them when they came around.

“That’s what you have to do and we are in a good vein of form at the moment, especially scoring 19 in the last five games.

“That’s pleasing that we have carried that on even with one or two key players not starting.”

Chris and some of the players watched the draw being made after the game and the boss was happy to be given a home tie:

“Being Carlisle, it’s a long, long way, so a home draw is always positive for anyone.

“We’ve already played them this year but it’s a different game and different circumstances.

“We are very confident on our own patch, and when the tie comes around, I’ll make sure they are ready to be more than a match for Carlisle.”