Exeter City 1 (Purrington 6) Charlton 1 (Diabate 87 o.g.)

From a comfortable armchair, Kevin Nolan pays tribute to Charlton’s fiercely loyal travelling support and acknowledges the backbone Nathan Jones has installed in the side since he arrived; just in time, as it happens!

Locked in a members-only struggle for rights to 15th position in League One, also-rans Exeter and Charlton surprisingly attracted a maximum crowd to their Good Friday confrontation, a game which went largely un-noticed elsewhere. The gate was augmented by a sold-out away end, 1335 dogged wayfarers having battled through holiday traffic to reach the lesser St. James Park. Fair play to them, “their spirits have been bruised, never broken”, as the peerless Luke Kelly once sang about the battered citizens of Derry.

They’ve suffered over recent years, have Charlton supporters, but their loyalty to one of the more decent clubs in the English football pyramid has not faltered. They’ve had a lot to put up with, as a kaleidoscopic parade of cowboys, spivs and chancers have tarnished a proud pedigree but they’ve survived them all, even that god-awful dirge inflicted on them by a wannabe James Hetfield. And their current on-field recovery under new boss Nathan Jones has at least eased fears of relegation to the dungeon of League Two.

Jones has turned the directionless bunch of lost souls he inherited from professionally dour Michael Appleton into a stubborn outfit capable of going toe-to-toe with the best sides in the division, as Bolton, Portsmouth and Derby discovered in February. The point they quarried from this earnestly contested encounter, after they had trailed for over 80 minutes, was not enough to guarantee safety but extended their unbeaten run to nine games and inched them closer to safety. Under Appleton, they would probably have lost down in Devon.

Rocked back by their hosts’ lightning start, Charlton were still finding their feet when the Grecians scored the goal which promised to be the matchwinner. The last of an opening flurry of corners was re-cycled by Tom Carroll to Scottish midfielder Jack Aitchison, whose cross cleared Tennai Watson and was nodded off the defender’s head and past Harry Isted by Ben Purrington, the same former Addick whose vital goal at Wembley 2019 was always destined to be overshadowed by Patrick Bauer’s last gasp heroics. It was a disastrous start but Jones’s resilient troops recovered from it and hit back spiritedly.

Only two minutes after Purrington’s strike, a long ball from Michael Hector, back to his influential best in a first start since January, was brilliantly controlled by Watson and laid off to Karoy Anderson. The youngster’s powerful strike was beaten away by Viljami Sinisalo, who proved equally competent in dealing with Thierry Small’s fierce drive, after the left wing back had been sent to the left byline by Alfie May’s cleverly contrived pass. At which stage, the Addicks were on top and came within a whisker of equality as the first half ended in controversy.

Sent through following combination between May and strike partner Daniel Kanu, George Dobson held off rival captain Pierce Sweeney and managed a scuffed effort, which cannoned off Sweeney and Sinisalo’s flailing left hand on its way into an empty net. From seemingly nowhere, Purrington arrived to hook the ball clear, possibly after it had crossed the line, but leaving referee Declan Bourne little alternative but to wave play on. It was a bitter blow for the Addicks but they gamely battled on.

Re-doubling their efforts after the break, Charlton continued to make chances, with interval substitute Freddie Ladapo’s angled shot saved by Sinisalo. At the other end, Sweeney’s pointblank blockbuster was brilliantly deflected over the bar by Dobson before Yanis Wildschut’s artful cutback was miserably screwed wide by Luke Harris. Largely untroubled, Isted did his bit to keep the Addicks in the hunt by magnificently saving Wildschut’s corner-bound drive at full length.

Harassed and harried, the West Countrymen seemed likely to hang on to their slender advantage as the final whistle neared. But that was to reckon without the positive effect that 66th minute substitute Chuks Aneke was to have on the outcome. His arrival brought with it his usual impact, both on his teammates and a weakening home defence, who could have done without his combination of brawn and brain. To say the big man makes his presence felt is to grossly underestimate his influence and his contribution to Charlton’s late equaliser.

Challenging Cheick Diabate in the air for Tyreeq Bakinson’s hanging, right wing cross, Aneke’s physicality was enough to nudge the defender off course but his header was heading harmlessly off target until it deflected off the horrified Diabate and made its way past a helplessly wrongfooted Sinisalo. The inhabitants of the rickety old stand behind Sinisalo celebrated wildly; six minutes into the seven added to normal time, their glee would have known no bounds had May shown his usual calm finishing.

Played through by Ladapo and Bakinson into one-on-one confrontation with Sinisalo, May chose to round the keeper but created a rapidly diminishing angle, from which his shot rebounded off the near post. Seconds later, Charlton’s eighth 1-1 draw of the season was confirmed and left them with work still to do before safety is assured. But Nathan Jones is the man for the job!

Exeter: Sinisalo, Sweeney, Aimson, Purrington (Diabate 77), Niskanen, Carroll, Woods, Wilschut (Rankine 71), Aitchison (Alli 77), Harris (Cole 71), Cox (Eisa 77). Not used: Fitzwater, McDonald. Booked: Woods.

Charlton: Isted, Hector, Thomas, Gillesphey (Edun 71), T.Watson, Dobson (Campbell 86), Coventry, Anderson (Ladapo 46), Small
(Bakinson 86), May, Kanu (Aneke 64). Not used: Maynard-Brewer, Ness/ Booked: Thomas.

Referee: Declan Bourne. Att: 8,088 ( 1,335 visiting).

Derby County 1 (Cashin 39) Charlton 2 (May 61 pen, Anderson 80)

After a wait of three months and sixteen games, during which they scraped eight points and slumped from a mediocre but safe 10th position to a parlous 20th slot, Kevin Nolan celebrated Charlton’s magnificent win at Pride Park strategic miles from the action.

The stubborn, gutsy defiance Charlton displayed in holding promotion challengers Bolton Wanderers and Portsmouth to creditable draws can be seen now as lines drawn in the sand. Those excellent performances under new boss Nathan Jones provided a platform for their bravery at Pride Park, where they stood up to yet another of League One’s top three and thoroughly deserved their first win in seventeen games. The cockles of 657 intrepid travellers’ hearts were thoroughly warmed, as were many more at home in the southland.

Upon joining the livestream, to be honest, the presence of George Dobson and Alfie May on the bench hardly inspired confidence. At a daunting venue like Derby, Dobson’s selfless industry would surely be indispensable while it was clearly a matter of time before May brought his mini-drought to an end. In Jones we trusted, of course, and in the former case, at least, were rewarded by the superb contribution made by Dobson’s obvious replacement Conor Coventry. Not as convincing was the choice of Freddie Ladapo ahead of May; the former Ipswich striker has still to find his feet in his new colours.

From start to finish, Coventry’s tour-de-force made Charlton tick. Secure on and off the ball, the Dobson lookalike includes a streak of spite in his repertoire. He fights his corner, plays with his head up and shows the natural leadership of a future captain. There must be room for both Dobson and Coventry in the same line-up.

In May’s case, Jones made a questionable call but put it right on the hour mark, when Charlton’s 20-goal marksman was introduced for Ladapo and predictably was joined by the irresistible force that is Chuks Aneke, in relief of an anonymous Panutche Camara. The effect on the toiling Addicks was electric. Its impact was also profoundly felt by these ordinary Rams, who needed May and Aneke like twin holes in the head.

The first half of this ultimately marvellous victory was a forgettable mishmash, from which the hosts at least emerged in front. Chances were non-existent but Charlton were encouraged to discover that high-flying County were no better than themselves, whatever the table suggested. Two long-range efforts sent wide by Ryan Nyambe were matched by Camara’s narrowly off-target drive and there was little in it when, with six minutes remaining, the Addicks’ clear ambition to reach the interval intact was rudely dashed.

In tussling with Nathan Mendez-Laing near the left corner, Terell Thomas’ failure to restrict his streetwise opponent to a throw-in rather than a corner was to prove costly. Having successfully hustled a flagkick, Mendez-Laing’s wicked delivery was met by Eiran Cashin’s head at the near post and bulleted home through an untidy mess. County were unimpressive but they were in front.

Fifteen meaningless minutes had elapsed in the second half before Jones executed his masterstroke. The introduction of May for Ladapo was routine but it was Camara’s replacement by Aneke that showed imagination. The shrewd manager had persevered with the youthful enthusiasm of Daniel Kanu and Charlton had three dangerous strikers, with which to attack their tiring hosts.

Jones’ bold move almost instantly paid off when Thierry Small’s cross was inadvertently flicked on by Cashin to the far post, where Aneke headed unluckily on to the woodwork. It was bitterly disappointing at the time but the suddenly rampant Addicks were not to be denied long. And Jones was soon rewarded for his attacking instincts – not to mention his faith in Kanu.

Picking up Karoy Anderson’s square pass near the halfway line, Coventry’s swooping first-time pass sent energetic Daniel surging clear of pursuers into Derby’s penalty area, where he was clumsily brought down by an advancing Joe Wildsmith. Falling naturally without any undue histrionics, he made it easy for referee Jeremy Simpson to award the obvious penalty. May was nerveless in finding the bottom left corner, before being crudely insulted by several junior Rams, who should have been back home doing their homework. Bring back National Service That’ll sort ’em out. Never did your reporter any harm!

Like Bolton and Portsmouth before them, County were badly rattled but hit back through Sonny Bradley, who volleyed Mendez-Laing’s free kick straight at Harry Isted. It was no surprise, though, when their newly buoyant visitors took the lead.

Pouncing on Ebou Adams’ slipshod control, Aneke led a three-man assault, with May to his left and Kanu on his right, which nonplussed the wrongfooted home defenders. With May serving as a useful decoy, Aneke laid a careful pass into Kanu’s path but the youngster’s shot was brilliantly blocked by Wildsmith, at which point the keeper’s luck ran out because the rebound was met by Anderson and rifled ruthlessly into the roof of the net. This Karoy kid – he’s going places. Probably sooner than later, unfortunately.

Finding themselves in front, Charlton’s immediate task was to protect their lead. And that, for once, proved no problem for these freshly confident Addicks. Even the burden of eight added minutes was borne lightly. Another Bradley effort, again straight at Isted, was the best Paul Warne’s promotion seekers could produce as their conquerors expertly managed the time remaining. This was a bell-to-bell, whistle-to-whistle triumph, earned in the second half by their aggressive, front-footed approach. It’s unwise to get carried away – as advised by our new guvnor – but it’s been a bloody long time coming and winning’s pretty heady stuff. We’ll be brought back to ground soon enough…

Derby: Wildsmith, Nyabe (Barkhuisen 52), Bradley, Nelson, Cashin, Wilson, Smith (Sibley 62), Adams (Blackett-Taylor 84), Bird, Mendez-Laing, Gayle (Waghorn 62). Not used: Loach, Thompson, Fornah. Booked: Bradley, Wildsmith.

Charlton: Isted, Edmonds-Green, Thomas, Gillesphey, T.Watson (Ness 74), Coventry, Camara (Aneke 60), Anderson, Small, Ladapo (May 60), Kanu. Not used: Maynard-Brewer, Dobson, Edun, Campbell.

Referee: Jeremy Simpson. Att: 24,557 (657 visiting).

Bolton Wanderers 3 (Adboyejo 19, Maghoma 51, Bodvarsson 71) Charlton 3 (Small 22, Jones 40, Kanu 61)

Safely quartered, like General Melchett, miles behind the action, Kevin Nolan suffered at home as Charlton brought a precious point home from the North West. He makes the argument here that it was one gained rather than two lost at currently the most daunting venue in League One.

It would be reasonable for neutrals to assume that Charlton, after surrendering second half leads of 2-1 and 3-2 in this gripping up-and-downer, had blown a golden opportunity to win their first game since November 28th and ease their relegation worries. Nothing could be further from the truth, however, because this battling bunch of Addicks gave everything they had and left nothing on Bolton’s rain-sodden pitch in achieving this coupon-busting result.

It became clear from kick-off that Nathan Jones has no intention of accepting anything but maximum effort from any of his players as Ian Evatt’s high-flying Trotters were badgered, bothered and beset by their busy visitors. Clearly reluctant to allow Wanderers to dictate matters, Jones’ supposedly soft Southerners pressed urgently, restricted space and threw a large Cockney spanner into Bolton’s engine room. It didn’t always work and eventually they tired but their front-foot aggression was, by a country mile, an improvement on their usual bashful diffidence.

Charlton’s uninhibited start was beginning to hint at more to come when, with sickening familiarity, they fell behind to
the home side’s first meaningful attack. It was the same old story -or so it seemed – when Zac Ashworth’s searching cross was turned in at the near post by Victor Adeboyejo. But if the locals expected their 19th minute opener to break the Addicks, they were in for a rather nasty shock. Three minutes later, the visitors equalised through an unlikely source.

Thierry Small had been chosen by Jones as his new left back and brought authority and no-nonsense physicality to his new job. He began disastrously by gifting Adeboyejo possession dangerously close to Harry Isted’s goal and was hugely relieved when the burly forward was ushered into a safe cul-de-sac by Terell Thomas. That proved to be his only error as he made an impressive debut, which was crowned by his first goal for his new club. And if there was an element of luck involved, neither Jones nor the 456 intrepid pilgrims, who made the long journey north, were in any mood to apologise.

Pressing forward down the left flank, Small found space for a deliciously delivered cross, which neatly cleared Eoin Toal’s head on its untouched journey inside Joel Coleman’s left hand post. The early impression was that Karoy Anderson had feathered the ball past the keeper but it turned out to be Small’s goal and was duly credited to him.

Stung by the surprise development, Bolton hit back through Josh Dacres-Coyley, whose ball in from the left drifted through Charlton’s six-yard area, needing only a touch to convert it, but passed harmlessly to safety. Their dismay intensified when the Addicks grabbed the lead five minutes before the break.

Small was again involved, his short corner enabling George Dobson to cut back a cross which eluded Daniel Kanu but was swept home through a forest of legs by Lloyd Jones. An unsighted Coleman’s first view of the ball was in picking it out of his net.

Charlton’s first lead of a tit-for-tat afternoon lasted only six minutes into the second half. It was neutralised by a wonderful strike by Paris Maghoma, who twisted and turned on the 18-yard line to create the perfect angle for the right-footed drive he curled into the top right corner, despite Dobson’s sinew-straining efforts to block him. Charlton’s skipper did not dive in recklessly, as the Dobson “downdoers” allege, but was simply outwitted by a skilful opponent. The photo of Maghoma’s strike exonerates him. Enough already!

Again the spirited Addicks refused to accept the apparently inevitable. They were being magnificently led up front by Kanu, whose rapid improvement makes it hard to believe that he doesn’t turn 20 until November. Kanu was a revelation and richly deserved the goal he scored just past the hour. Yet again, Small featured, his attempted one-two with Freddie Ladapo resulting in the shot blocked by Gethin Jones, which fell kindly for Kanu to turn sharply and find the net off the right post.

Bolton’s second equaliser, scored by half-time substitute Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, with nearly 20 minutes left, was especially bad news for Jones’ beleaguered side, They were already fraying round the edges when the Icelandic striker beat his marker to the near post and turned Dacres-Coyley’ s hard, low cross past Isted.

With nine added minutes swelling to a half hour the time remaining, it seemed dollars to doughnuts the visitors would concede again, as they have so often during this wretched season. Instead they dug in and survived, aided in their efforts by the late arrival of Chuks Aneke, their not-so-secret weapon. Big Chuks picked up the slack for an understandably weary Kanu, gave the frustrated Trotters all they could handle and almost stole all three points with a fiercely angled shot which Coleman beat away. At the other end, meanwhile, Gethin Jones should already have beaten Aneke to it but, though unmarked in front of goal, could do no better than glance Aaron Morley’s precise cross limply wide. His miss might have significant consequences for both of these historic football clubs. In the short term, at least, it keeps Charlton alive to fight another day – namely next Saturday at home to league leaders Portsmouth. Nobody said it would be easy!

Bolton: Coleman, Gethin Jones, Toal, Iredale, Dacres-Coyley, Ashworth (Ramsey 90+1), Sheehan (Morley 77), Maghoma (Mendes Gomes 83), Dempsey, Adeboyejo (Bodvarsson 46), Collins (Jerome 78). Not used: Forrester, Taylor. Booked: Maghoma, Sheehan.

Charlton: Isted, Watson, Lloyd Jones, Thomas, Small, Dobson (Camara 73), Coventry (Gillesphey 73), Anderson, Ladapo (Aneke 73), Kanu (May 86). Edmonds-Green. Not used: Maynard-Brewer, Edun, Tyreece Campbell. Booked: Jones, Coventry, Anderson, Dobson, Kanu, May.

Att: 20,179 (456 visiting).

Bristol Rovers 2 (Martin 68, 90+4) Charlton 1 (Tedic 85).

Kevin Nolan sees Charlton knock off criminally early and pay the usual price.

When substitutes Tyreece Campbell and Slobodan Tedic combined to produce an 85th minute equaliser for Charlton, it appeared briefly that the late goal boot had, for once, been placed on another team’s foot. Bristol Rovers were far from intimidating and a share of the spoils for both these mediocre sides was a logical outcome to a humdrum game.

The Addicks sailed through the remaining regulation time but the fourth official’s added-on board brought with it
daunting news. There would be no less than seven minutes added, information which reduced to nervous wrecks the fans in an SRO away section of the Memorial Stadium. Their heroes had proved incapable of protecting a 1-0 lead through only three added minutes at home to Burton Albion recently. An inability to manage the late stages of a game has become almost legendary and, sure enough, it returned to demoralise them once more.

In the fourth of the seven fateful minutes, a free kick was needlessly conceded, close enough to the visitor’s penalty area to bring on the brain fade so familiar to followers of Michael Appleton’s hapless charges. To a man, they switched off and did nothing to prevent Antony Evans from stepping up to exploit their complacency. “As a manager, it’s hard to defend the way we didn’t stand on the ball”, lamented the manager, “how five or six players turned their backs to the free kick.”

While the Addicks slumbered, Evans’ quick thinking setpiece freed Aaron Collins to make unencumbered ground on the right before crossing hard and low for Chris Martin to sidefoot into a yawning net. With their customary lack of urgency and fighting spirit, Charlton had succumbed yet again to their morbid fear of the fourth official and his added time board. It’s surely Appleton’s job to make them more hardnosed and unpleasant to be around. Hating to lose should be bred into footballers.

Losing, to be fair, looked unlikely as Charlton made a confident start at the Gasworks. There were only two minutes on the clock when Chem Campbell’s short free kick was transferred by George Dobson to Alfie May, who curled a left-footed effort against the bar with keeper Matthew Cox a standing spectator. The bright opening was continued by Corey Blackett-Taylor, whose crisp cross presented Lloyd Jones with a six-yard chance which the off-balance centre back screwed wide of the left post.

As the Addicks’ early edge faded, their hosts, while no great shakes themselves, took over. Evans seized on Jones’ headed clearance of his corner to unleash a superb half volley which flashed inches wide when the merest touch was needed. Before the break, another of Evans’ corners was headed goalwards by Tristan Crama, whose effort would have counted had Collins not applied an unnecessary touch from a palpably offside position. Collins’ celebrations were exuberant if shortlived.

Somewhat fortunate to begin the second half on level terms, Charlton improved, though hardly enough to justify Appleton’s claim that “we were great.” Blackett-Taylor was high, wide and far from handsome with the left-footed drive he ballooned over the bar and Daniel Kanu’s touch deserted him after he turned aggressively in the Gas’ penalty area. It was no surprise when they fell behind.

Crama was having a decent game for the West Countrymen and it was the midfielder’s searching ball which sent Harvey Vale speeding clear down the left flank. Vale’s cross was miskicked by Collins but swept home by Martin. The goal came as little surprise to a side which hasn’t managed a clean sheet since Reading were demolished 4-0 at The Valley on October 21st.

A draw seemed a likely outcome, however, when Tedic unexpectedly shocked the coasting home side with a sharply taken leveller with regulation time running out. The Serbian sub got across his marker after Tyreece Campbell shunted Vale off Karoy Anderson’s throw on the right byline and turned the winger’s low centre inside the near post.

The mechanics of Martin’s matchwinner will doubtless be bitterly debated at Sparrows Lane before Charlton prepare for the visit of Oxford United on New Years Day. Painful questions should be posed to players who don’t appear to care as deeply as the fans who faithfully follow them around the country. They might be asked why there was no reflex effort to disrupt Evans’ quickly taken free kick or why they assumed there would be a mutually agreed pause before the action continued. They were loafing while their opponents got on with it. And they need to explain themselves because it’s become par for the course!

Rovers: Cox, Wilson (Hoole 72), Taylor, Cranie, Thomas, Ward (Grant 90+6), Evans, Finley, Vale, Marquis (Martin 56), Collins. Not used: Woods, Brown, McCormick.

Charlton: Maynard-Brewer, Tennai Watson, Hector, Jones, Edun, Dobson, Anderson, Chem Campbell (Louie Watson 77), Kanu (Tedic 62), Blackett-Taylor, May (Tyreece Campbell 77). Not used: Walker, Asiimwe, Thomas, Casey. Booked: Chem Campbell, Jones, Hector.

Referee: Neil Hair.

Leyton Orient 1 (Beckles 80) Charlton 0

On the safe side of the Blackwall Tunnel, Kevin Nolan bore not-so-silent witness to a performance of mind-stultifying ineptitude. Here’s his version of events…

The blow-by-blow history of the goal, by which Leyton Orient squeaked past Michael Appleton’s feckless bunch of fainthearts, might also be co-opted to summarise their lily-livered attitude to the game as a whole. We’ll refrain from referring it to as a local derby, a term which implies passion, pride and commitment to the shirt you’re wearing. Orient offered slightly more of those qualities than their milksop visitors but there wasn’t much in it. Both sides were largely clueless, with the East Londoners ultimately and decisively less clueless than their Boxing Day visitors. And so on – reluctantly – to the goal.

The process began on the left flank where Tennai Watson sauntered back too late to prevent Shaq Forde’s low, hard cross. Michael Hector had room and time to deal with the danger but contrived to horribly slice his intended clearance high into the air though no further than the penalty spot. Charging from his line to take charge, Ashley Maynard-Brewer’s crooked punch added to Charlton’s problems but fell conveniently on to Scott Fraser’s favoured left foot. The plot promptly sickened as the Scottish playmaker’s intended haymaker instead produced an awkwardly scuffed effort in Corey Blackett-Taylor’s general direction. Brushed aside in a 50-50 challenge for the loose ball by Jordan Brown, Blackett-Taylor was neither use nor ornament to Tayo Edun, who went rashly to ground and allowed Dan Agyei to reach the right byline, where he cut back for an unmarked Omar Beckles to sweep home Orient’s matchwinner.

More than half of Charlton’s on-field representatives, during their chaotic Keystone Kops interlude, were directly linked to this dreary game’s only goal. It was, however, the logical culmination of an overall performance from which none of its contributors emerged with credit. As already mentioned, the O’s were themselves nothing to write home about; they simply wanted it more.

Required to defend the indefensible, Appleton made a brave, if deluded, post-action fist of it. “Very disappointing” he conceded, “tough one to take on the chin. But that’s football!” Before his last conclusion could be disputed, he continued “I don’t think we were brave enough in the second half getting on the ball… it’s the build-up of not getting what we deserved over recent games and it was heavy on their shoulders today.” The beleaguered boss could reasonably point to an unbeaten run of seven league games prior to Boxing Day, a somewhat bogus record qualified by the five draws it included. It’s fair to say that the eleven points mustered were precisely what the Addicks deserved after conceding added time equalisers to the bog standard likes of Cambridge United and Burton Albion. To which can now be added Leyton Orient’s 80th minute winner.

To their credit, Orient had done their homework on their visitors. Clearly up for a fight, Darren Pratley added experience and savvy to their game plan. He was invaluable to right back Tom James in countering the perceived threat of Blackett-Taylor, who was rarely allowed to cut in on his right foot, where he has proved so dangerous this season. On the one occasion Charlton’s fleetfooted striker slipped James and moved inside, his cleverly threaded shot was brilliantly saved by Sol Brynn. The keeper also competently stopped a first half snapshot from Chem Campbell, tipped aside Fraser’s corner-bound curler and was indebted to Rob Hunt for blocking Alfie May’s five yard shot almost at source.

As this dreary game wore on, Richie Wellens’ East Londoners sensed they had little to beat. They began to bully their nearby neighbours, with Pratley hardly missing an opportunity of leaving his foot in to make their point. His gritty side dominated the physical exchanges, winning practically all 50-50 challenges and aerial duels. More alarmingly, their weak, passive opponents appeared to have left any vestige of will-to-win on the other side of the Blackwall Tunnel, at least if the outbreak of shirked tackles offered reliable evidence. It’s appropriate to add in that regard that Orient were hard but far from dirty. They didn’t need to be to beat such soft-centred victims, who were obliging almost to a fault.

Moving swiftly on, Charlton are due at Bristol Rovers on Friday. Just four short of 2,000 admirable zealots followed them to what was once known as Brisbane Road, provided their usual stout support but were badly let down by their heroes. Most of them will probably make the trip to the Gasworks more in hope than expectation but still defenders of the faith. They used to include your reporter among their number but those days are gone. And not a moment too soon is his inescapable conclusion!

Orient: Brynn, James (Brown 70), Happe, Beckles, Hunt, Pratley, El Mizoumi (Sanders 85), Forde, Galbraith (Agyei 78), Archibald, Sotiriou. Not used: Howes, Turns, Pigott, Moncur. Booked: Happe, Hunt, James, Beckles, Archibald.

Charlton: Maynard-Brewer, Tennai Watson, Hector, Jones, Edun (Asiimwe 83), Dobson, Fraser (Louie Watson 83), Chem Campbell (Tyreece Campbell 75), Kanu, Blackett-Taylor, May. Not used: Walker, Thomas, Andrson, Tedic. Booked: Dobson.

Att: 8,499 (1196 visiting).

Barnsley 1 (Phillips 24) Charlton 1 (Blackett-Taylor 70).

Keeping an eye on events in South Yorkshire from South London, Kevin Nolan contends the Addicks
were robbed of victory by refereeing incompetence. Here is his case for the prosecution.

There’s a half-decent side struggling to dispel Charlton’s reputation as League One’s soft-bellied patsies. In fact, they are a sharp, talented outfit which should be numbered among the contenders for promotion from this sorry division into the comparative grandeur of the Championship. Too often, though, they show undue deference to rank-and-file teams where cold-eyed ruthlessness is in order. Last week’s indulgence of modest Cambridge United provides a perfect case in point.

There was no such fecklessness on Saturday at Oakwell, where the Addicks burst from the blocks, gave play-off hopefuls Barnsley all they could handle and came away with a burning conviction that the single point they took back to South London should have had two more for company. We’ll get to that 24th minute flashpoint in due course.

Showing their seventh-placed hosts only nominal respect, Charlton attacked them with unrestrained gusto. The Tykes were rattled, as evidenced by the defensive tangle involving Jordan Williams and Mael De Gevigney, which allowed Corey Blackett-Taylor to barrel between them and bear down on Liam Roberts. Electing to shoot rather than square to Alfie May, the aggressive speedster fired into the side net from a diminishing angle.

Keeping the ball on the ground as they passed their way forward, the confident visitors continued on top with May and Chem Campbell going close with snapshots from outside the penalty area. As Neil Collins’ chaps began to find their feet, however, they came closer to opening the scoring, when Herbie Kane connected powerfully with Carey O’Keefe’s lay-off, his fierce drive heading for the top left corner until a flying Ashley Maynard-Brewer brilliantly turned it over his bar to safety.

Maynard-Brewer’s splendid save kept Charlton level only briefly. Midway through the half, Barnsley were handed the lead under wildly contentious circumstances, which need assiduous reporting.

Pursuing Adam Phillips’ long ball down the left, Kane and George Dobson tussled for possession near the corner flag. Kane’s was the last touch which brought the ball to a halt and clearly over the byline for a goalkick. Convinced he had shepherded it out of play, Dobson paused in confident anticipation of referee Simon Mather’s whistle. Kane, meanwhile, managed a low cross which Phillips dispatched superbly past Maynard-Brewer.

In hindsight, Dobson might have been wiser to clear downfield but the ball, as proven on the telecast, was over the line. Simple as that. Even the locals on audio duty eventually agreed after receiving confirmation from Barnsley Bugle’s chief photographer, ideally placed two yards from the action. Everyone knew the truth except the officious Mr. Mather, who busied himself by booking Maynard-Brewer and his manager Michael Appleton for their understandable dissent.

Charlton’s burning sense of injustice was further fuelled before the break, when the outstanding Tayo Edun’s left wing cross struck Phillips’ arm inside the home penalty area. Mather was probably on more solid ground in turning down appeals for a spotkick but he was clearly in no mood to rule against the home boys.

To their credit, the Addicks hid their anger and started the second half boisterously, with Slobodan Tedic, a striker in sore need of a goal, turning sharply to shoot narrowly over the bar and Blackett-Taylor bursting on to Tedic’s short pass but failing to beat Roberts from close range. Big Corey had the bit between his teeth by now and, with 20 minutes left, produced an equaliser.

Assisted by Edun’s willing running, Blackett-Taylor picked up the left back’s slack, broke through several challenges and finished brutally past the helpless Roberts. His seventh league goal of the season is nicely balanced by six assists, the most recent of them the delicious cross he delivered for Chem Campbell to head his first Charlton goal against Cambridge last week. His productivity makes him indispensable to Appleton but also vulnerable in January’s transfer window. An improved contract could help.

It was unthinkable, after everything they had soldiered through, that the Addicks should leave South Yorkshire without reward. Before Blackett-Taylor’s strike, further brilliance by Maynard-Brewer, in saving bravely at John McAtee’s feet, had averted disaster while, shortly before the end, one of Dobson’s typically heroic blocks was required to prevent Owen Dodgson from stealing their point from point blank range. But a point was the least their vastly improved performance deserved.

The last word belongs to Appleton – on the subject, naturally – of Barnsley’s goal. “The decision was inexcusable. Everyone thought the ball went out of play. It’s just a horrendous refereeing call!”

Amen to that. But there’s an almost immediate opportunity to bind the wounds. Burton Albion should be put to the sword next Saturday in a clear statement of Charlton’s intent to shake off doubt and disillusionment. No disrespect intended to the Brewers but they’re standing in the way of progress. This season ain’t over yet.

Barnsley: Roberts, Williams, De Gevigny, McCart, O’Keefe, Connell, Phillips, Kane (Watters 83), Dodgson, Cole (Jalo 78), Cosgrove (McAtee 56). Not used: Killip, Russell, Lopata, Cotter. Booked: McCart, Kane, Cosgrove, Dodgson.

Charlton: Maynard-Brewer, Tennai Watson, Hector, Thomas, Edun, Dobson, Fraser, Chem Campbell (‘bick 82), May, Blackett-Taylor (Tyreece Campbell (90+1), Tedic (Kanu 62). Booked: Maynard-Brewer, Appleton, Fraser, Thomas, Edun.

Referee: Simon Mather. Att: 11,716 (644 visiting).

Reading 1 (Savage 82) Charlton 1 (May 42): Reading won 4-2 on penalties

Safely removed from frigid Berkshire, Kevin Nolan followed Charlton’s latest Cup exit on Livestream.

Beaten 4-2 on penalties by Reading, Charlton achieved the singular feat of departing all three of 2023-24’s domestic cup competitions before actually reaching ’04. They have made almost an art form of “concentrating on the league”, the wisdom of which will be tested on Saturday at The Valley by Cambridge United.

If Michael Appleton was treating this Bristol Street business lightly, his strong-looking selection indicated otherwise. Only the presence of debutant right winger Henry Rylah stood out among the usual first teamers, which meant a switch to the left for Tyreece Campbell, a square peg in a round hole and, if his body language was any guide, none too pleased with his re-deployment. Rylah did OK before giving way to 17-year-old Micah M’Bick, while Campbell, apart from expertly setting up Alfie May’s goal, achieved little else. It seems, at times, that young blood is introduced by Charlton as no more than a PR exercise. Mind you, a growing injury list currently leaves Appleton little choice.

The manager – and supporters – will be fervently hoping that the Sparrows Lane treatment room will not now be coping with impressive centre back Lloyd Jones and the ever-dependable George Dobson, both victims of what are euphemistically referred to as “knocks.” Jones was replaced by Terell Thomas at half-time, while Dobson was relieved by Karoy Anderson on 70 minutes, their prudent withdrawals a caution against playing one game, with an eye on another.

There was nothing half-hearted in Charlton’s approach to this frankly meaningless knockout encounter. They gave it a serious shot and were in front with less than ten minutes remaining. But their familiar inability to go the distance came back to haunt them and Reading’s equaliser came as more an inevitability than a surprise. A corporate lapse in concentration allowed substitute Kelvin Ehibhatiomsha to pick out Charlie Savage in complete isolation but still 25 yards from the Addicks’ goal. Switching the ball from right foot to left, son-of-Savage curled an absolute beauty into the top left corner, with Ashley Maynard-Brewer comprehensively beaten.

The penalty shoot-out held out hope but that hope proved to be illusory. When May’s first spotkick was saved by Joel Pereira, Charlton’s fate was sealed. One of their penalties was emphatically converted by Michael Hector, which completed an outstanding contribution by the big centre back, but Louie Watson’s miss brought down the curtain.

May’s first half opener was typical of the sawn-off marksman’s ability to sniff out a chance. He delayed his run into the Royals’ six-yard box as Hector’s long, raking pass found Campbell on the left and was perfectly placed to turn the hard, low cross past Pereira. Later on, May’s ball-juggling control bamboozled Reading lynchpin Nelson Abbey as they competed for another long ball but Pereira saved alertly at his near post. As the visitors persisted in overplaying and yielding possession in dangerous areas, the virtues of the long ball spoke for themselves but “clearing your lines” continues to be frowned on. And “getting rid of it” belongs in another century.

Ploughing on in Berkshire, meanwhile, the Addicks rode their luck, never more clearly than when Caylon Vickers shot inexplicably wide from eight yards after Maynard-Brewer had brilliantly saved from Lewis Wing at point-blank range. The Aussie keeper also plunged to his left to turn aside long shot specialist Wing’s deceptive effort. Dobson’s full-blooded block of Vickers’ penalty spot drive also keynoted Charlton’s defiance and suggested the possibility that if Charlton’s wholehearted skipper had still been around, Savage’s chance might not have been so clearcut. But there you go, if ifs and ands were pots and pans, there’d be no work for tinkers.

Within three decisive days of Cup failure (apologies for bringing up the Gillingham surrender), Charlton’s league deck has been cleared for action. No more distractions complicate their task, no further excuses will be entertained. The Addicks are now a fixture in League One and have failed to mount a serious bid for promotion since they were relegated in 2020. When your home record is spotted by losses to the likes of Port Vale and Bristol Rovers, while your away tariff boasts one win in eight games, mid-table mediocrity is no more than to be expected. And the visit of Cambridge United on Saturday, with old foe Neil Harris newly in charge, is suddenly complicated. No sense, no feeling, though, see you at The Valley. What’s the alternative?

Reading: Pereira, Mola, Elliott, Smith (Ebihatiomsha 72), Mukaria (Azeez 65), Hutchinson (Savage 65), Bindon, M’bengue (Carlson 46), Wing (Knibbs 65), Abbey, Vickers. Not used: Button, Dean. Booked: Carson.

Charlton: Maynard-Brewer, Tennai Watson, Jones (Thomas 46), Hector, Edun (Asiimwe 70), Dobson (Anderson 70), Fraser, Louie Watson, May, Tyreece Campbell (Kanu 85), Rylah (M’bick 70). Not used: Walker, Casey.

Referee: Peter Wright.

Charlton 3 (Blackett-Taylor 12, McGrandles 51, May 68) Sutton Utd 0.

Cool, composed and cohesive, a strong-looking Charlton side had too much of everything for League Two visitors Sutton United and strolled effortlessly into the knockout stages of what is now called the Bristol Street Motors Trophy. Struggling at the very bottom of the 92-club EFL pyramid, despite an opening day 5-1 thrashing of promotion aspirants Notts County, the Us need Cup distractions like the proverbial hole-in-the-head. Their less than enthusiastic approach to this confusing competition can be summed up by the 71st minute introduction of 42 year-old substitute Craig Dundas.

Charlton’s own attitude underwent a dramatic volte-face recently after their seriously under-strength selection was humiliated by Cray Valley PM in the first round of the FA Cup. Stung by criticism, manager Michael Appleton named a no-nonsense side for the replay, which was won comfortably in a second-half blitz. He made no such mistake against Sutton and acknowledged that his carefully calibrated side’s “attitude was spot-on. They showed a really good appetite for the game. There was a hunger and desire.”

There were also impressively relaxed performances from his eleven starters and from the five substitutes who supported them. Among several candidates for MOM -oops, POM – was the often unfairly maligned Conor McGrandles, whose midfield generalship and unhurried distribution were capped by a rare goal. McGrandles’ Scottish know-how was backed up by Louie Watson’s tireless foraging and forward-facing movement. Behind them, Tennai Watson and Lucas Ness were sound, unruffled defenders, as was the versatile Nathan Asiimwe. They were facing weak opposition but were a joy to watch in dealing with it.

Charlton’s business-like attitude was clear from the outset. They might have moved into a 10th minute lead but Miles Leaburn’s low snapshot rebounded off the foot of Steve Arnold’s right post. As it was, they were required to wait just two more minutes before Corey Blackett-Taylor fired them into a lead they were never likely to relinquish. Supplied by the elegant Scott Fraser, he turned Ryan Jackson inside-out before smashing a low drive across Arnold into the bottom right corner.

The visitors were being outplayed but rallied sufficiently for towering centre forward Harry Smith to head Rob Milsom’s corner into the side-netting but were indebted to Arnold for a smart save to keep out Tyreece Campbell’s fiercely angled shot at his near post. Shortly before the break, They should have fallen further behind when substitute Harry Beautyman was adjudged to have brought Campbell down as the speedster eluded him on the left byline. The wrongs-or-rights of referee Carl Brooks’ decision to award a penalty became academic when Blackett-Taylor drilled the spotkick off the woodwork.

United’s relief lasted five minutes into the second half when they were effectively finished off by McGrandles second goal of the season. Set up by Campbell’s persistence on the left, the tall playmaker’s first time effort from outside the penalty area beat Arnold, who was left helpless by an unlucky deflection off Ben Goodliffe on its way inside his right-hand post.

Any chance Matt Gray’s side had of working back into contention disappeared when Smith missed their best chance near the hour mark. An isolated error by Tennai Watson allowed Josh Coley to get behind the Addicks’ wrongfooted defence and set up a clearcut shooting chance which Smith hit tamely into Sam Walker’s hands. The suddenly busy keeper then saved smartly at his near post from Omari Parker before Charlton’s third goal finished off the outclassed visitors.

Alfie May had been among a trio of 6oth minute substitutes and wasted little time in adding to his growing tally of goals this season. The tireless little enthusiast was on hand to nod home right wing Fraser’s cross, after Campbell had dispossessed Beautyman and supplied his skipper.

There should be quiet satisfaction if no excessive celebration of this routine victory over League Two’s bottom club. But Sutton were put in their place by these steadily improving Addicks, whose one-touch passing was electric and eloquent. They played well within themselves, no doubt with upcoming league commitments in mind, but this was a timely boost in confidence and self-belief. They’re as good potentially as any side in League One. There’s no better time than now to prove it.

Charlton: Walker, Asiimwe, Ness, Tennai Watson. Edun (Jones 60), Blackett-Taylor (May 60), McGrandles (Dobson 60), Tyreece Campbell, Louie Watson, Fraser (Kedwell 75), Leaburn (Tedic 75). Not used: Adegoke, Chem Campbell.

Sutton: Arnold, Sowumni, Goodliffe. Coley (N’Guessan 71), Smith (Dundas 71), Patrick, Clay, Fadahunsi, Jackson, Milsom (John 57), Gape (Beautyman 46). Not used: House, Sullivan, Moore.

Referee: Carl Brook. Att: 1,377 (294 visiting).

Wigan Athletic 2 (Aasgaard 84, Humphrys 90) Charlton 3 (May 21,31, Blackett-Taylor 43).

Gamely whittling away at their usual points penalty, Wigan must have fancied their chances of making further progress when Charlton arrived at cavernous DW Stadium on Tuesday evening. Sending the Addicks to this rugby league stronghold at Halloween just had to be someone’s idea of a seasonal laugh, some macabre stab at gallows humour.

Some laugh… some humour as it turned out because, for 84 sublime minutes, plus seven added to the first half, Sean Maloney’s nervous Tics were played off their soulless park, a gloomy venue which justifies the taunt that “your ground’s too big for you”. Unhappily – some might say predictably – the hugely impressive visitors abruptly caved in, had their three goal lead reduced to one and crawled over the line with their dignity in tatters. In the immediate aftermath of their sudden collapse, Michael Appleton insisted that “I’m not going to focus on the last 10 minutes… I’ll focus on what I’ve seen before.” And if you swallow that, you’ll swallow just about anything.

Appleton’s right, of course, to enjoy the rest of his side’s sublime performance before tackling the late defensive nightmare which threatened to ruin their perfect evening. And there was plenty to savour as his sweetly synchronised Addicks toyed with their bewildered hosts before retiring for a break already, so it seemed, out of sight. From sound goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer to restless buzzsaw Alfie May up front, Charlton were a well-oiled machine, to which Wigan had no answer.

It was May who put the Londoners in front just past the 20-minute mark. The opening exchanges had been even, with Callum Lang’s free kick clipping the bar and Tyreece Campbell forcing a smart save from Sam Tickle in reply. Then Louis Watson’s precise cross was headed forcefully goalwards by May, saved magnificently by Tickle but bundled over the line by the persistent May.

Charlton’s pocket-sized dynamo needed just ten more minutes to double his tally with his 11th goal of an already prolific campaign. Again the talented Watson provided the telling pass, which May moved on to his left foot before beating Tickle with a low strike into the bottom right corner. It was heady stuff to which Corey Blackett-Taylor added a flourish two minutes before the break.

Blackett-Taylor had been capably handled by ex-Addick Sean Clare but eluded his marker as Miles Leaburn cleverly flicked George Dobson’s laser-powered pass into his stride. A crisp right-footed drive left Tickle helpless on its way inside the left post. The visitors were comfortably in control and the interval arrived as an unwanted interruption.

There was no obvious warning of the decline to come as Charlton continued where they had left off in the second period. With Michael Hector in commanding form, they defended efficiently and seemed capable of increasing their lead. Campbell, feisty and mischievous on the left flank, came close to doing so when he hit a post and then forced a sharp save from Tickle. But a note of caution was promptly issued by young Norwegian Thelo Aasgaard, who arrived at the far post to awkwardly shovel a deep cross from Callum McManaman, a last survivor of Wigan’s 2013 FA Cup winning team, narrowly over the bar.

Aasgaard went one better with six minutes remaining by exchanging sharp passes with lively substitute Martial Godo and beating Maynard-Brewer with a ferocious shot at his near post. The tables were dramatically turned now and Wigan piled on the pressure by scoring again in the last minute of normal time.

Godo had made a huge difference and it was his low cross from the left that was taken in his stride by Steven Humphrys and rifled past a blameless Maynard-Brewer, with substitute Charlie Kirk an uninvolved witness. It left the shellshocked Addicks seven endless added minutes to negotiate before 415 bravest of the brave pilgrims and many more stay-at-home couch surfers were able to celebrate. The late turn-around was par for the course and no more than experienced Charlton followers have come to expect. Suffering is part of the process… it goes with the territory.

Any account of this important win on the road – Charlton’s first of a stuttering season – should include the prodigious contribution made by George Dobson who was, in a word, immense. Much more than the midfield destroyer he is frequently dismissed as being, the skipper’s passing and movement were exemplary. He was involved in two goals, covered more ground than any other player and stood out. Mind you, he was responsible for one near-disastrous pass, which gave Wigan a fleeting opportunity but thankfully amounted to nothing – thanks, in part to his efforts in recovery. If nothing else, though, his error should provide the Dobson naysayers with material for their usual backbiting. The rest of us will continue to appreciate George’s wide array of talents which featured, on Tuesday evening, an outrageous flick over Liam Shaw’s head which led indirectly to Blackett-Taylor’s fine goal. Best enjoy him while you can… you know what they say about not missing something until it’s gone!

Wigan: Tickle, Clare, Hughes, Morrison, Jones (Mcmanaman 62), Shaw (Smith 46), Adeeko, Pearce, Aasgaard, Lang (Godo 46), Wyke (Humphrys 46). Not used: Amos, Rekik, Magennis. Booked: Adeeko, Aasgaard.

Charlton: Maynard-Brewer, Asiimwe, Hector, Jones, Tennai Watson (Thomas 71), Louie Watson (Kirk 83), Dobson, Camara (T. Campbell 10), May, Blackett-Taylor (Fraser 71), Leaburn (Tedic 83). Not used: Walker, Ness. Booked: Tennai Watson.

Referee: Paul Howard. Att: 8,486 (415 visiting).

Lincoln City 3 (Adelakun 33, 57, Roughan 78) Charlton 1 (May 10).

Charlton’s five-game unbeaten run under new boss Michael Appleton came to a sobering, juddering halt on Tuesday night when Lincoln City came from behind to win this clash of sides probably destined for mid-table mediocrity. Or, if you’re one of those glass-half-full characters, you might choose to regard it as mid-table security.

It had all looked encouraging as the Addicks got off to a rare front-foot start and made it count by taking the lead in fine style after only ten minutes. Taking up where they left off in destroying Reading three days earlier, they were irresistible as Scott Fraser arrowed an inch-perfect pass outside Jack Mitchell to send Tyreece Campbell on a lung-busting sprint to the left byline. Reaching the ball on its last revolution before going out of play, the speed merchant managed a low cross into the six-yard box where Alfie May forced it over the line with an unspecified part of his anatomy. Fraser’s vision, Campbell’s blistering pace, May’s predatory finish – they all combined to convince us that Charlton’s miserable away record was about to improve drastically. How wrong we were – the goal was in fact as good as it got on a thoroughly chastening evening.

Though maintaining his customary calm demeanour, there was simmering anger underscoring Appleton’s post-game analysis. “We just didn’t give ourselves a chance tonight” he remarked, “we just didn’t compete enough with them. And if you do that against a really physical side like Lincoln, there’s only going to be one scenario that’s going to happen and that’s what happened. Once the second goal went in, there were one or two players who didn’t really think they could get back in the game. I’ve not seen that so that’s something I’m certainly aware of tonight and I don’t want it to happen again.”

Appleton is clearly a cool customer who treats victory and defeat with equal equanimity but the soft-centred nature of this first reverse appears to have got under his skin. He was, of course, unlikely to name the “one or two” players he had in mind but he might want to re-think the number involved. There were, in fact, more than a few guilty parties as Charlton seemed at pains to re-habilitate the stricken Imps once they’d taken the lead. Possession was abjectly surrendered, passes went astray, not a single one-on-one duel was won. The Addicks were strangely spiritless and their opponents sensed the shift in momentum. They could hardly have done otherwise.

Inspiring City’s immediate recovery were long-throw specialist Hakeeb Adelakun and Danish wingback Lasse Sorensen. They were first heard of when Adelakum’s guided missile reached Sorensen, who forced a brilliant diving save from Ashley Maynard-Brewer, virtually alone in emerging with credit from this unnerving fiasco. Another personal delivery from Adelakum was met on the volley by Sorensen and was goalbound until Sean Roughan gamely blocked it with his unmentionables. As the visitors continued their self-harm policy, an equaliser seemed not so much likely as inevitable. It duly arrived just past the half hour mark.

A dangerous right wing cross from Jack Burroughs pitted Adelaku and Lloyd Jones in direct confrontation with each other, a head-to-head confrontation, from which the former predictably emerged the winner. Cleverly turning the defender to his advantage, Adelakum exploited a favourable bounce and hammered an unstoppable drive into the roof of the net. Charlton were already a beaten rabble. Only the formalities remained.

Before the interval, Sorensen wasted Ethan Erhahon’s measured cross by blasting hopelessly wide, then was foiled twice by Charlton’s defiant goalkeeper as their personal duel continued. Maynard-Brewer’s heroics ensured that his sleepwalking team reached half-time on terms. Hardly any witnesses at LNER Stadium or more sensibly safe at home expected anything but a comfortable home win. Shortly after the break, they were proved right.

Thwarted by Maynard-Brewer in their first half confrontations, Sorensen changed tack and combined with Roughan in setting up Adelakum to tap home Lincoln’s second and ultimately winning goal. Lincoln were already home and dry by the time Jack Vale’s luckily deflected pass sent Roughan through to complete what was, scoreline apart, an embarrassing rout.

On the back of a five-game unbeaten sequence, this defeat would normally be treated as inevitable and as no reason to panic. Losing goes with the territory and the eleven points won since Appleton took over have already re-energised Charlton’s drab season. But the boss plainly sensed, indeed saw, an ominous lack of backbone in what might be argued his strongest team. Even while in front, they were easy meat for one of League One’s more modest sides. There’s an immediate opportunity to put things right on Saturday when Blackpool visit us but… let’s put it this way, the bookies won’t be besieged by punters anxious to lump on Charlton, even at the inviting odds anticipated. This one sort of knocked the stuffing out of both manager and fans. But there you go… see you at The Valley. No sense, no feeling, didn’t get where I am today with either of those bringing me down.

Lincoln: Jensen, Mitchell, Jackson, O’Connor, Burroughs, Hamilton, Erhahon, Roughan, Sorensen (Eyoma 89), Adelakun (Vale 72), Smith (Duffy 79). Not used: Wright, Brown, Makama, Shodipo.

Charlton: Maynard-Brewer, Asiimwe, Hector, Jones, Thosmas, Dobson, Fraser (L.Watson 74), T. Campbell (C.Campbell 74), May, Blackett-Taylor (Tedic 84), Leaburn (Camara 61). Not used: Walker, Ness, T.Watson.

Referee: Daniel Middleton. Att: 7,314 (600 visiting).