Charlton's goalkeeping hero reveals how 'going rogue' led to cup glory over Seagulls

Charlton Athletic goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer admitted he abandoned the best-laid plans of the Addicks coaching staff to become the penalty shootout hero in the Carabao Cup fourth round victory against Brighton.

The young goalkeeper saved from Moises Caicedo to allow team-mate Sam Lavelle to score the winning spot-kick after the League One strugglers had played out a goalless 90 minutes with their Premier League opponents.

Despite being given advice on where Brighton’s kick-takers would likely place their efforts from 12 yards, Maynard-Brewer was making his own mind up by the time he denied the Ecuadorian midfielder.

My goalie coach (Glyn Shimell) gave me a bottle with the names of players and where they shoot (written on it), but after two or three (penalties) I kind of went on instinct and hoped for the best,” he said.

“As a goalie there is not as much pressure; if they score it’s not your fault and if you save one you’re the hero. To make a save and go through was unreal.”

The 23-year-old Australian was quick to heap praise on caretaker manager Anthony Hayes for his role in guiding Charlton to a first league cup quarter-final since 2006.

“Haysey said before the game that it was a free hit and there was no pressure,” explained Maynard-Brewer. “We just had to put a massive effort in.

“That’s what we did, we frustrated them, defended really well and gave ourselves a chance.”

With newly appointed permanent manager Dean Holden watching on from the directors’ box, the Addicks stopper also said that he felt he had done his best to stake a claim for the number one jersey with Joe Wollacott out with a broken finger and Craig MacGillivray struggling for consistency.

“I’ve had a few nightmare injuries recently, so I loved the opportunity to play in a game like this,” Maynard-Brewer confessed.

“It was a good opportunity for everyone to make an impression in front of the new manager, he came into the canteen yesterday and said a few words.

“Going forward, we just need to focus on the Boxing Day game and improving our position in the league,” he added.

“We haven’t been good enough, so we need to get a bit of momentum going and get a few wins.”

Stand-in boss Hayes added: “It was a special performance on a special night. We rode our luck at times against a high calibre Premier League side, we had to suffer a lot without the ball.

“I’m delighted we were able to send the fans home happy, it’s a night we won’t forget.”

Even though the Irishman was keen to credit the whole team for their performance on the night he did reserve special praise for Maynard-Brewer.

“He’s a goalkeeper we’ve got huge ambitions for and huge plans for,” said Hayes. “He’s solid and assertive in everything that he does.

“He comes in everyday with a wonderful mentality; he’s ambitious, he wants to improve more. He’s the type of person you want to be working with.

“It was an easy decision for him to be the number one tonight.”