Shelvey's a shining light amid gloom at Charlton

Charlton boss Phil Parkinson praised teenager Jonjo Shelvey as the "shining light" amid the gloom of his side's plunge towards League One.

The club lost 2-0 at home to Nottingham Forest and have not won for 17 matches, leaving them seven points adrift at the bottom of the Championship.

Striker Shelvey has been impressive in recent weeks, though, and Parkinson believes the 16-year-old has a bright future. "He's only 16 but he was a shining light," said Parkinson.

"He plays with no fear, whereas some of the older players have let the situation get to them.

"He's going to be a big star and there are not many players in this division that are better than Jonjo."

Charlton's next match is a trip to Norwich in the FA Cup and Parkinson added: "I don't want to see anyone's heads down and we'll go again."

Queens Park Rangers salvaged a point against Coventry thanks to a late Dexter Blackstock strike in their 1-1 draw. And boss Paulo Sousa hopes the fans remain patient. "We want to play a different way but it takes time," Sousa said. "We are building."