Charlton 2 (Jackson 47, Obika 90), Leeds United 1 (Varney 81).

Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.

Charlton’s long march to freedom picked up momentum at a euphoric Valley, where Jonathan Obika’s 96th minute goal – the Addicks’ first added time strike of the season – sank stubborn Leeds United. Now seven points above the relegation places, with just fifteen points still at stake, only a collapse of epic proportions will send them down. That’s unlikely to happen under Chris Powell’s calm stewardship.

Starved of opportunities since joining Charlton in February, Obika replaced teenage whizkid Callun Harriott with seven minutes left, announcing his arrival with an electric burst of speed which left right back Sam Byram strugging in his wake before he cut back an inviting pass to Chris Solly, whose close range shot was blocked.

With the bit clamped firmly between his teeth, the Tottenham loanee was clearly hungry for action. His run into the penalty area was precisely timed as Rhoys Wiggins threw into Salim Kerkar, switched the return on to his less favoured right foot and centred accurately. Having lost his marker, Obika headed emphatically past Paddy Kenny before disappearing into a wild melee which united players, staff and crowd in perfect communion. There really is nothing quite like the last gasp winner, as Charlton have discovered to their cost on several occasions this term. This time it was their turn.

Determined if unspectacular, the Addicks deserved this pivotal win, even if deputy Leed boss Neil Redfearn couldn’t bring himself to agree. He felt that United were the better side and had been ill-served by several of referee Stuart Attwell’s decisions. He also seemed  peeved that the hosts had scored their first goal “against the run of play.” With Johnnie Jackson’s 10th goal of the season timed at 47 minutes, there hadn’t actually been a whole lot of play since the break but we won’t fall out about it. Departed boss Neil Warnock, sorely missed not only for his classic good looks but his Corinthian attitude, would have whined more effectively but, of course, he had cut and run during the previous week. So it was down to Redfearn to make a case for the indefensible.

Jackson’s strike was typical of the skipper’s eye for a chance. Coming back to an onside position as Ricardo Fuller’s cross was scuffed clear to Andy Hughes, he was favoured by a helpful ricochet from the defensive midfielder’s low drive. One steadying touch prepared the brutal left-footed bullet which rocketed into the roof of the net with Kenny helpless. Jackson is quick enough when he needs to be.

It’s difficult to justify Redfearn’s claim to superiority at the time. Charlton had largely controlled the first half, had made the majority of the chances and had comfortably handled the on-paper menace of Steve Morison and Ross McCormack up front for the visitors.

United, in fact, lived dangerously during the early going after David Norris crudely fouled Jackson and Solly’s free kick was hooked goalward by Dorian Dervite, saved smartly by Kenny but blasted haplessly over the bar by Michael Morrison; they wobbled again as Wiggins’ deep cross picked out Yann Kermorgant at the far post but was headed wide; and there was little they could do to stop livewire Callum Harriott, who broke clear to fire narrowly wide. At the other end, McCormack’s clever backheel made space for Paul Green to cut in from the right to shoot carelessly over the bar.

Jackson’s opener seemed to have sent the Addicks on their way to a relatively easy victory but that’s not the way things are done down in S.E.7. Busy Bradley Pritchard nearly eased the inevitable nerves but saw his volleyed cross from the right byline pass untouched across goal on its way for a throw. Gradually, Powell’s men retreated to defend what they had; just as gradually newly encouraged United came into contention. Hughes’ diving header back to Ben Hamer brilliantly foiled Morison, who then picked up Michael Tonge’s rebounded shot to drive viciously into the sidenet. But with nine minutes left, Leeds drew level and were probably entitled to parity.

Driven deep alongside his defensive colleagues, Kermorgant’s desperate foul on McCormack was predictably punished. Lee Peltier’s towering free kick triggered a hectic scramble which Charlton seemed to have survived until Lee Varney, despite claims for handball, hooked home a deflected equaliser.

Shocked by the setback, the Addicks declined to settle for a still useful point and went looking for a winner. Solly had taken to rampaging forward and finished a determined run by drilling a low crosshot narrowly wide. As the Yorkshiremen wavered, substitute Michael Brown picked up his customary booking for a particularly nasty foul on Kermorgant, then repeated the offence without penalty. But in Obika, a far more effective substitute was to have the last word. And the word was spelled G-O-A-L!

Kevin Nolan’s Match Report is brought to you in association with , 294 Burnt Ash Hill, London, SE12 0QD.

Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Dervite, Morrison, Wiggins, Pritchard, Hughes, Jackson, Harriott (Obika 83), Kermorgant, Fuller (Kerkar 77). Not used: Button, Taylor, Stephens, Gower, Wilson. Booked: Jackson.

Leeds: Kenny, Byram, Pearce, Peltier (Austin 90), Warnock, Green, Tonge (Brown 88), White (Varney 66), McCormack, Morison. Not used: Ashdown, Diouf, Habibou, Poleon. Booked: Tonge, Norris, Brown.

Referee: Stuart Attwell. Att: 18,900.

Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Charlton 0.

Kevin Nolan reports from Amex Community Stadium.

Any doubt that Charlton have the heart and resolve to deal with the lingering threat of relegation was dispelled in freezing conditions on the South Coast on Tuesday evening. A performance of guts and commitment under severe pressure from Gus Poyet’s talented Brighton proved enough to secure a bitterly earned point, their 51st of this tortuous route march of a season. That’s enough to keep them up – or it would be under normal circumstances. Problem is that there’s nothing normal about the 2012-13 campaign. So the survival fight goes on under Chris Powell’s astute leadership.

Criticised in Tuesday’s programme for “lacking a Plan B” and “not making his substitutions soon enough to affect the game”, Powell’s clever deployment of his personnel was, in fact, instrumental in a rewarding four-point Easter. His resourcefulness in adapting his selection to circumstances is too often overlooked.

Never reluctant to make changes, without resorting to change for its own sake, the boss brought Ben Hamer back after a four-game absence and was rewarded at Brighton by a performance of breathtaking quality. Like Hamer, meanwhile, new additions Dorian Dervite and Andy Hughes had suffered in the alarming early chaos which saw the Addicks go 2-0 down to Bolton on Easter Saturday before recovering magnificently to win 3-2. All three of them, however, kept their heads and their places at the Amex Stadium where they disputed between them the notional award as man-of-the match.

Powell also altered his formation by adding Lawrie Wilson to a five-man midfield and dropping Ricardo Fuller to the bench, after the veteran’s heroic exertions three days previously. His approach was unapologetically defensive but this result vindicated him. The Addicks are involved in an unrelenting relegation struggle and those fans who yearn after beguiling football were advised to park themselves on the sofa to drool over the molten talents of PSG and Barcelona on TV. It’s a matter of life or death near the foot of the Championship table and no place for the fainthearted.

Dervite was the first of the terrific trio to make his mark with a selflessly brave block to deny Leonardo Ulloa a point blank chance. In front of him, Hughes settled down quickly to break up play with tackles and interceptions before passing sensibly out of trouble, his calmness lending confidence under the Seagulls’ steady pressure. But it was Hamer’s individual brilliance which inspired the besieged visitors to endure.

Possibly nettled at being dropped for four games, the often emotional keeper began a string of superb saves by reacting smartly to turn Matthew Upson’s header to safety, then capably dealt with a crisp drive from Kazenga LuaLua. Luck came to his rescue when Inigo Calderon hastily sliced a point blank opportunity wide as he stood watching helplessly. His impressive coolness in dealing with crosses and corners received stout support from the lusty boots and willing heads which dealt with so many of the balls which Albion rained in on his beleaguered penalty area.

It wasn’t quite one-way traffic, a point made by the sharp turn and blistering shot sent inches over the bar by Yann Kermorgant before the interval. But the siege continued unabated after the break, with Will Buckley heading Vicente Rodriguez’ cross wastefully wide at the far post. Another fine save by Hamer, after Upson met David Lopez’ corner, kept the scores level before the Addicks responded spiritedly, with Liam Bridcutt emulating the visitors’ stubbornness by heroically blocking Bradley Pritchard’s close range effort.

A late winner from either side was never out of the question and Hamer’s full length save from Lopez was more than matched by the breathtaking effort made by Tomasz Kuszczak to fingertip substitute Dale Stephens’ blistering half-volley over the bar. But it was Hamer who claimed the goalkeeping kudos with an astonishing added time save from Ulloa.

Picked out by Bridcutt’s precise cross, Ulloa seemed certain to break Charlton hearts until Hamer, while moving to his right, adjusted to divert the ball up on to his crossbar and over to apparent safety. The emergency was far from over because Gordon Greer managed to hit the left post from Lopez’ resultant corner. By that time, it must be admitted, your scrupulously neutral reporter had subsided into gibbering panic and his version of events, from the, er, unbiased sanctity of the press box, should be accompanied by a healthy dose of scepticism. Was it Rhoys Wiggins or Chris Solly, on the line, who helped Greer’s effort on to the post? Whoever it was, tell him from me he’s a hero!

Brighton: Kuszczak, Calderon, Upson, Greer, Bridge, Rodriguez, Bridcutt, Lopez, Buckley, Ulloa, LuaLua. Not used: Ankergren, Hammond, El-Abd, Crofts, Orlandi, Painter, Barker. Booked: Bridcutt, Greer.

Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Dervite, Morrison, Wiggins, Wilson (Stephens 75), Hughes (Taylor 90), Pritchard, Jackson, Harriott, Kermorgant. Not used: Button, Haynes, Kerkar, Fuller, Gower. Booked: Jackson, Hughes.

Referee: Mick Russell. Att: 28,043.

Kevin Nolan’s Match Report is brought to you in association with , 294 Burnt Ash Hill, London, SE12 0QD.

Charlton 3 (Jackson 25, Dervite 60, Kermorgant 63,pen) Bolton 2 (Sordell 4, Kamara 20).

Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.

Two down to promotion hopefuls after 20 minutes, a re-vamped defensive unit all at sea, demoralising defeat by an initially superior side on the cards. The scenario was familiar but so was the solution.

Back in early November, Charlton had found themselves in similarly depressing circumstances against league leaders Cardiff City. On that riotous occasion, they had turned to what they call these days their go-to guy and were not disappointed. Before half-time, Johnnie Jackson had scored twice, the visitors were shellshocked and a memorable come-from-behind victory was on its way. No need to mention the added time wobble that reduced the home crowd to quivering apprehension. It all turned out fine anyway.

Five months on, the Addicks were up against it again as rampant Bolton tore them to pieces with an early assault, missing two clearcut chances before Marvin Sordell gave them a 4th minute lead. Chris Powell’s bold plan to use Andy Hughes’ defensive know-how in front of a back four, where Dorian Dervite was deputising for Matt Taylor, was in tatters; the crowd threatened briefly to mutiny as Medo Kamara doubled Wanderers’ advantage; the Valley hoodoo seemed certain to continue. Well, cometh the hour, cometh the bloke. The right bloke in Jackson at precisely the right hour.

To those who believe that football is all about blistering pace, Charlton’s cool skipper leaves a bit to be desired. Not the fastest creature on two legs, though hardly as slow as made out by his few detractors, he uses something you just can’t rent or buy in compensation. It’s called a football brain and it helps its owner to anticipate the ebb and flow of play. It’s no accident that Jackson has “popped up” nine times this season with important goals. Just when Charlton needed him most, he did it again on Saturday.

Fastening on to a short pass from bright-as-a-button Callum Harriott, he outflanked a massed defence with a right-to-left lateral run across the penalty area. The far right corner was always his left-footed target, one he found with unerring accuracy off the post. The effect was electric. Bolton were no longer as cocksure, the Addicks were galvanised, their crowd sensed the dramatic change of mood. Jackson was unable to repeat his two-goal feat before the break but his goal proved a game changer. What would Powell do without him? The question is, of course, rhetorical.

Steady improvement spread rapidly through the team. Consummate pro Hughes settled down admirably while Dervite showed yet again the versatility that has bailed Charlton out on many occasions this season. The brawny Frenchman was to feature at the other end early in the second period. More of that soon.

Shocked by Jackson’s unexpected reply, meanwhile, Bolton began to implode. Their progress towards anarchy began with the booking meted out to right back Sam Ricketts for a wild challenge on Harriott, the consequences of which came home to roost shortly after the break. Possibly a slow learner, Ricketts launched another high “tackle” on Ricardo Fuller and was given inevitable marching orders by referee Trevor Kettle. His punishment further fitted his crime as Yann Kermorgant struck the left post with a clever free kick, leaving Dervite to efficiently slot the rebound past Andy Lonergan.

It was the Trotters’ turn to struggle and while they were down, the Addicks ruthlessly kicked them again. Fuller was proving an elusive handful, his darting surge into the penalty area luring Darren Pratley into an ill-timed sliding tackle from behind. Having waited patiently while the almost berserk visitors did everything they knew to distract him, Kermorgant shut them up by calmly converting the stonewall spotkick. Now, presumably, we’ve heard the last of his infamous play-off miss while with Leicester. Not before time, either.

Still in with a chance,10-man Bolton were at pains to squander it. Their 69th minute substitute Craig Davies rose to the occasion with back-to back bookings for crude fouls on Michael Morrison and Rhoys Wiggins, while the clothesline attack on Chris Solly by Craig Dawson should have seen him beat Davies to the showers.

Speaking of Davies, the scene was ideally set for old warhorse Kevin to apply his wrecking ball impact to his side’s plight but, sensibly perhaps, manager Dougie Freedman kept him on the bench. Kev might have quite enjoyed the chaos which greeted the final whistle, with an enraged posse of his colleagues, led by incandescent captain Zat Knight, surrounding Mr. Kettle to presumably place their orders with him. Milk and two sugars, please, ref. No hurry but if you’re brewing up…

Kevin Nolan’s Match Report is brought to you in association with , 294 Burnt Ash Hill, London, SE12 0QD.

Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Dervite, Morrison, Wiggins, Pritchard, Hughes (Gower 72), Jackson, Harriott (Wilson 86), Kermorgant, Fuller (Haynes 86). Not used: Button, Green, Obika, Feely. Booked: Hughes, Solly, Kermorgant.

Bolton: Lonergan, Ricketts, Knight, Dawson, Alonso, Kamara, Spearing, Pratley (Odelusi 82), Chung-Yong Lee (Craig Davies 69), Ngog, Sordell (Butterfield 59), Not used: Bogdan, Eagles, Kevin Davies, Wheater.

Referee: Trevor Kettle. Att: 17,322.

Charlton 0 Millwall 2 (Easter 58, Lowry 65).

Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.

According to Ben Franklin, death and taxes are the only certainties in life. If he was still around, though, the old codger might add another sure thing…Millwall beat Charlton at football. No matter how the teams are doing when they meet…Millwall beat Charlton at football. It’s what they call a gimme, Ben.

This latest clash of historically mismatched rivals made the point perfectly. Logic pointed to a rare win for the Addicks because just about everything was in their favour. Having soldiered through two exacting cup-ties since Charlton last played, the Lions arrived at The Valley, not only lacking influential midfielder James Henry but also deprived of regular centre back Mark Beevers through suspension. With playmaker Andy Keogh presumably feeling the strain and benched, where he remained, they were further disrupted after just 16 minutes by the loss of deputy defender Karleigh Osborne to yet another injury. Depleted and supposedly drained, the visitors seemed there for the taking by rested, virtually full-strength Charlton. Well, we should have known better because if you don’t learn from history, you’re a cinch to repeat its mistakes, not to mention its results. And history teaches us that… Millwall beat Charlton at football. So let’s have a go at an explaining the phenomenon.

The suspicion lingers that generation after generation of Charlton players have had it drummed into them that games against Millwall have no more significance than those against any other opposition. The same number of points are available from each fixture and it’s an unnecessary distraction to get caught up in all this local derby hype. So the Addicks are not so much pumped up as let down. Their feet stay firmly on the ground. No added edge for them. It’s all very professional and strictly business.

Now try telling that to Millwall’s players. It’s a safe bet that over in S.E.16, they listen to a more belligerent mantra, one which leaves them in no doubt what this fixture means to their fans. They don’t dare lose and it’s this healthy fear that motivates them. They simply want it more and it’s exactly that desire which added a yard of pace during this game, as an example, to man mountain Danny Shittu’s legs in several one-on-one face-offs with speedster Danny Haynes. Ex-Addick Shittu was the very symbol of the visitors’ defiant togetherness.

The first half of Charlton’s latest humiliation suggested briefly that the usual trend was about to be reversed. If anything, the Addicks had the better of its humdrum exchanges, with David Forde initially shaky in dealing with Bradley Pritchard’s snapshot, then making a more efficient job of turning aside a fiercer effort from Callum Harriott. They turned out to be his only genuine saves. At the other end, premature substitute Adam Smith, under crucial pressure from Chris Solly, snatched at the Lions’ best chance and drove it wastefully wide. There wasn’t much else to recommend 45 forgettable minutes.

A bright start to the second period offered the home fans further encouragement. Harriott’s clever footwork tempted Alan Dunne into a rash foul on the edge of the penalty area but Yann Kermorgant curled the free kick a whisker wide; Rhoys Wiggins’ cleverly improvised cross was touched on by Kermorgant for Lawrie Wilson to lift a point-blank chance over the bar at the far post. And that was Charlton’s bolt well and truly shot. Not for the first time in the one-sided history of this fixture, Millwall coldly put them in their place.

Emergency loan acquisitions Richard Chaplow and Jermaine Easter are possibly no more than nodding acquaintances but they were clearly on the same wavelength as Chaplow squeezed a left-wing cross between Solly and Johnnie Jackson. Meeting the low delivery at the near post, Easter expertly tucked it under David Button’s body and Charlton were already doomed to yet another home defeat, this one far more more painful than most.

Seven minutes later came the coup-de-grace, set up by Pritchard’s boneheaded foul on Smith as the full back bore down on Charlton’s penalty area. From 25 yards, Shane Lowry rubbed salt in their wounds with a wonderful free kick bent beyond Button’s desperate grasp into the top right corner.

What remained was the agony of a crowd which had touchingly turned up in hope and were left to reproach themselves for falling for it yet again. Their refusal to turn on their beaten team commends them but, don’t be fooled, they never get used to losing to Millwall. There aren’t even any past glories to recall – no, wait a minute, there was the famous 2-0 romp in the snow at the Den in December 1995 but it’s a bit embarrassing to harp on about a victory 18 years ago in a different century. And even that is effectively trumped by the much more recent 4-0 debacle that still keeps this reporter awake at night.

So the thing is, Ben, you can rely on taxes and bet your mortgage on death. But here’s something else to consider…Millwall beat Charlton at football. And for certainty that beats your two all hollow.

Kevin Nolan’s Match Report is brought to you in association with , 294 Burnt Ash Hill, London, SE12 0QD.

Charlton: Button, Solly, Taylor, Morrison, Wiggins, Wilson (Wagstaff 67), Pritchard, Jackson, Harriott, Haynes (Fuller 67), Kermorgant. Not used: Hamer, Evina, Stephens, Obika, Dervite. Booked: Pritchard.

Millwall: Forde, Jack Smith, Shittu, Osborne (Adam Smith 16), Dunne, Chris Taylor, Trotter, Lowry, Chaplow (Abdou 57), N’Guessan (Easter 57), Hulse. Not used: Maik Taylor, Woolford, Keogh, Saville. Booked: Smith, Dunne.

Referee: Neil Swarbrick. Att: 18,514.

Huddersfield Town 0 Charlton 1 (Harriott 4).

Kevin Nolan reports from the John Smith’s Stadium.

In brass monkeys weather on a pudding of a pitch, Charlton took an important step in securing their Championship future with this muck-and-nettles win over Huddersfield Town at the lyrically named John Smith Stadium. In a definitive road performance, they did to the Terriers what Burnley had done to them at The Valley a fortnight earlier. It wasn’t exactly art but it was as spirited as hell.

To be frank, when a 4th minute strike from Callum Harriott gave them the lead, the odds against it turning out to be the winner were prohibitive. But en route to making the teenager’s first league goal stand up for over 90 more minutes, the Addicks offered blood, sweat and, ultimately, tears of relief. Away from home, they’re a tough nut to crack.

Unaffected, as kids often are, by the tension ridden occasion, Harriott showed that a fighter’s heart underpins the shimmies and step-overs which decorate his performance. He also contributed willingly to the winning of the unpleasant nuts-and-bolts exchanges that come with the territory in situations like this. In fact, he seems to enjoy a dust-up now and then. He certainly stands up for himself.

The 19 year-old winger served early notice of his menace on his hosts with his first touch, wriggling between two baffled defenders on the left byline to set up a chance, over which Danny Haynes hesitated and lost. A minute later, he mooched casually back to the 18-yard line as Chris Solly feinted a free kick into a crowded penalty area from the left flank. Both youngsters proved to be gifted thespians because the ball was instead cut back to a suddenly switched-on Harriott, who took a steadying touch, shot crisply through the throng into the bottom left corner, then disappeared under a pile of celebrating colleagues. He seems a popular chap.
With their precious lead to defend, the visitors dug in for what promised to be a long haul. Uncomplicated Huddersfield lacked subtlety but made up in honest effort what they lacked in artistry. Well, honest up to a point, if you ignore the niggling input of Lee Novak and ponytailed substitute Alan Lee, who plays football with all the delicacy of a broken bottle. While we’re at it, let’s indulge our metaphors. Lee is more rottweiler than terrier.

Defiant and stubborn, meanwhile, the Addicks rode their luck occasionally and when that failed, depended on the outstanding goalkeeping of David Button. An early scare, when Theo Robinson failed, by a whisker, to turn in Scott Danns’ low centre, was quickly followed by the fine save Button made to turn Peter Clarke’s header over the bar. Following Harriott’s booking for fouling Oliver Norwood, the busy keeper was again called on to tip Robinson’s glancing header to safety. Button was entitled to the assistance he received from Rhoys Wiggins, who hacked an effort from Novak off the goalline, before adding an alert save of his own from Norwood’s long range blockbuster to his growing repertoire.

It wasn’t all Town, of course, and Alex Smithies had to react smartly to block Haynes’ downward header from Wilson’s cross. Following Oscar Gobern’s foul on Solly, Johnnie Jackson’s typically dangerous free kick was nodded over Smithies by Wilson at the near post but spectacularly cleared off his line by a surprisingly athletic Clarke. With the Addicks seeking the insurance of a second goal, Harriott added the pass-of-the-game to his vital opener, his defence-splitting delivery setting up Haynes to wastefully hit Smithies’ legs in one-on-one confrontation.

The second half was a hard, long slog. The West Yorkshiremen cheerfully abandoned any thought of playing through the treacly conditions and plumped for an aerial assault in its place. Nine minutes after the break, midweek goal heroes Lee and Danny Ward left the bench and the blitz intensified. Centre backs Matt Taylor and Michael Morrison remained rock-steady and despite all the bluff and bluster, clearcut chances were few. It was the irrepressible Harriott, in quickfire combination with Wiggins, who actually created the most dangerous moment, his scuffed low shot deflecting off Anthony Gerrard to precarious safety.

Town’s growing desperation led to bookings for Lee’s ugly follow-through on Button, not to mention the shameless rugby tackle with which Danns halted a Haynes breakaway. Not that it was a nasty game, just tetchy from time to time. And when it was done and dusted, the Addicks had shaken the persistent Terriers off their ankles. It’s not always grim up North. Anything but grim sometimes, as it happens.

Kevin Nolan’s Match Report is brought to you in association with , 294 Burnt Ash Hill, London, SE12 0QD.

Huddersfield: Smithies, Hunt, Clarke, Gerrard, Dixon, Clayton, Gobern (Arfield 81), Norwood (Ward 54), Danns, Novak, Robinson (Lee 54). Not used: Bennett, Woods, Wallace, Atkinson. Booked: Lee, Danns.

Charlton: Button, Solly, Taylor, Morrison, Wiggins, Wilson, Pritchard, Jackson, Harriott (Evina 79), Fuller (Dervite 66), Haynes (Obika 88). Not used: Hamer, Green, Stephens, Wagstaff. Booked: Taylor, Wiggins, Harriott.

Referee: Keith Stroud. Att: 13,591.

Peterborough United 2 (Swanson 24, Bostwick 71) Charlton 2 (Jackson 55, Haynes 58).

Kevin Nolan reports from London Road.

Kevin Nolan’s Match Report is brought to you in association with , 294 Burnt Ash Hill, London, SE12 0QD.

The only posh thing about Peterborough United is their nickname. A world away from the traditional, urban heartlands of English football, they fight their corner in the fenlands of Cambridgeshire in a tiny, dog-eared ground, supported by a small but passionate fanbase. Every season they are asked to “punch above their weight” and more often than not that’s exactly what they do. Forced to sell their best players to survive – most recently coveted midfielder George Boyd in the throes of yet another relegation scrap- they gamely re-group and carry on. There’s much to admire about them until, of course, you have to play them. Then it can be the stuff of recurrent nightmares, as more than one fancied team have found out.

With four points from their last seven games, Charlton were out-of-form visitors to London Road. Two demoralising home defeats, without a goal to show in either of them, hardly sent them out on the road again in the best of shape. But away from The Valley, where their dismal record undermines them like a virus invading their system, they are a vastly different proposition. They matched United blow-for-blow in a spirited, sometimes chaotic encounter and, in coming away with a precious point, fended off their hosts for the time being. If Chris Powell keeps them in the Championship, then it’s job done. Make that bloody well done.

The bright start the Addicks made to this pulsating match was a reproach to the nervous, crabbed attitude they bring to home games. Free from care, they tore into startled Posh and, with a little more luck, might built a winning position before United pulled themselves together.

As early as the fourth minute, Lawrie Wilson bludgeoned his way through abortive handball appeals before letting fly with a ferocious left-footed drive which cannoned back off the underside of the bar. Then Ricardo Fuller drove a low ball across the six-yard box, with Danny Haynes a desperate toe’s-width from applying a scoring touch. By the time, however, that both Haynes’ volleyed snapshot and Fuller’s header from Wilson’s centre were saved by Bobby Olejnik, Charlton’s opening storm was beginning to subside.

Their usual madcap selves, meanwhile, United announced their recovery with a chance squandered by resolute centre back Gabriel Zakuani. Favoured by the bounce after Tommy Rowe’s header from Grant McCann’s inswinging corner was blocked by David Button, Zakuani blasted over the top from the penalty spot. The visitors were still exhaling in relief when Posh took the lead.

Bit-part midfielder Danny Swanson, without a goal to his name this season, took off on a solo run in as much hope as expectation. Charlton’s defence melted in front of him, with Michael Morrison embarrassed by an unintentional nutmeg, before Swanson finished coolly past the advancing Button from 15 yards. It was a bitter blow which might have gone from bad to worse but for Button’s alert save from Dwight Gayle, with impeccable Chris Solly caught out for once.

A minute after the break, Lee Tomlin squandered a golden opportunity to put clear daylight between the teams. Played through a statuesque defence by Swanson’s defence-splitting pass, the chunky playmaker’s low shot should have found the bottom right corner but instead clipped a post. It was a bad miss for which Posh paid almostly immediately as the Addicks punished their profligacy with a quickfire two-goal salvo.

One day after his 19th birthday, hot prospect Callum Harriott had flickered through a difficult first half but resumed in more determined mood. His delightful pass dovetailed with Johnnie Jackson’s clever diagonal run and the skipper took a steadying touch before finishing across Olejnik into the far bottom corner. United were still absorbing the blow when Haynes emphatically cleared up the debris left by Olejnik’s save from Morrison by enthusiastically hammering the rebound into the roof of the net.

Facing such mercurial opposition as Posh, a third goal was a clear priority but after eluding an out-of-position Olejnik, Haynes’ chip from an awkward angle was alertly cleared off the line by Zakuani. It was the Addicks’ turn to suffer as another unexpected scorer made them pay.

Encouraged to advance into Charlton’s half, like Swanson before him, centre back Michael Bostwick chanced his arm from 25 yards and squeezed a forceful shot between Button and his left hand post. It was hardly the worst of goalkeeping howlers but Bostwick’s speculative effort should have been saved. As already observed, though, you never know what to expect from freewheeling Posh.

And it might have got worse during a wild and woolly added time melee, during which Button magnificently saved Rowe’s point-blank header and Jackson miraculously conjured the loose ball to safety while lying prone on the goalline. Referee Langford’s final whistle, at that desperately late stage, was music to the Addicks’ ears; yet another last gasp setback would have asked too much of their frazzled fans. The occasional coronary, more than likely.

Peterborough: Olejnik, Little, Zakuani (Brisley 72), Bostwick, Rowe, Payne, Swanson (Barnett 74), Tomlin, McCann (Ferdinand 59), Mendez-Laing, Gayle. Not used: Day, Alcock, Newell, Knight-Percival.

Charlton: Button, Solly, Taylor, Morrison, Wiggins, Wilson, Pritchard, Jackson, Harriott, Haynes (Dervite 90), Fuller (Obika 77). Not used: Hamer, Hughes, Evina, Wagstaff.

Referee: O. Langford. Att: 6,050

Charlton 0 Burnley 1 (Austin 43).

Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.

Those anxious glances Charlton have been throwing over their shoulders recently are becoming more frequent – not to mention more anxious. This second successive defeat at The Valley, their eighth of the season, continued the demoralising process of dismal home form undermining their magnificent performances on the road. Only the convenient ineptitude of several struggling wretches below them in the  table continues to cushion their fall but the gap remorselessly narrows. Unpredictable Peterborough are poised to exploit any resultant weakness on Tuesday evening. You never know what to expect from that wild-eyed crew of lunatics.

It seems that worried Chris Powell is no nearer to solving the conundrum. His delight at putting one over on old mentor Nigel Pearson at Leicester two weeks ago has quickly dissolved into the despair of losing, first to brilliant Nottingham Forest, then to well organised but less than brilliant Burnley.

Deprived of the irresponsibly suspended Yann Kermorgant and dead leg victim Chris Solly, Powell jettisoned his natural caution, shuffled his pack and indulged an unsuspected gambler’s instinct. Off form Ben Hamer was dropped for league debutant David Button; Lawrie Wilson replaced Solly at right back; Dale Stephens lost his place in a three-man midfield comprising Bradley Pritchard, Dorian Dervite and Johnnie Jackson.

It was up front, though, that the changes were truly rung. A second debutant in loan signing Jonathan Obika joined Ricardo Fuller and Danny Haynes in, ostensibly at least, a hell-for-leather attacking trio. The boss’s boldness was admirable but, regrettably, not vindicated by results. Obika was ineffective, Fuller laborious, with only Haynes providing one or two scares for the largely untroubled visitors.

Leading Burnley’s attack, meanwhile, was 26-goal Charlie Austin who, so the matchday programme informed us, was enduring something of a slump with only six goals in seventeen games since Sean Dyche took over the managership from Eddie Howe, whose initiative it was to sign the coveted striker from Swindon Town. We can adjust that figure to seven in eighteen now and if Austin scores a better goal than the one which sunk Charlton, he and Dyche will be justified in savouring it.

There had been little to divide two mediocre sides before Austin struck two minutes before the break. The Clarets were enjoying a slight edge while the Addicks, without a clean sheet in 14 previous games, paddled along with that about-to-capsize air of vulnerability they have about them in home games. With an urgently needed break in reach, up popped the predatory Austin to hole them below the waterline.

Picking up an innocuous ball some 30 yards to the left of Charlton’s goal, Burnley’s prolific striker turned smoothly infield to set up an uninhibited, right-footed drive which gave Button no chance on its unstoppable way into the far top corner.There was no particular insight needed in predicting that his singular talent had prematurely settled a pre-ordained issue.

Not that Charlton gave in. Haynes had already extended Lee Grant with a looping header during a monotonous first half when, before the hour, he came as close as his colourless side would come to equalising. An incongruously flowing move was begun by Fuller’s perceptive pass inside Daniel Lafferty, which allowed an overlapping Wilson to shake off the outmanouevred left back, before crossing accurately on the run. Timing his leap perfectly, Haynes’ text-book header was destined for the bottom right corner until Grant plunged full-length to touch the ball safely around his post.

Shortly after Haynes’ game effort, Powell wisely abandoned his abortive 4-3-3 experiment, bringing on Danny Green for Obika and Callum Harriott for Dervite in a re-vamped 4-4-2 shape. The intention was clearly to introduce width and Green, but sadly to a lesser extent an over elaborate Harriott, had some success. It seemed self-defeating, however, that without aerial specialist Kermorgant to play off, the Addicks embarked on a relentless mortar assault on the trenches, into which pragmatic Burnley retreated after Austin’s bombshell gave them the advantage.

In increasing desperation, centre backs Michael Morrison and Leon Cort began spending more time in the visitors’ penalty area than their own, deserted territory. It was a spirited but clueless response, with which Burnley, unabashed in deploying all 11 players inside their own half, dealt stoically. There was clearly no point in trying to club them into submission but Charlton, persistently if ill-advisedly, had a stab at it. And so, laboured and wearisome, the long march to freedom trudges onward….

Kevin Nolan’s Match Report is brought to you in association with , 294 Burnt Ash Hill, London, SE12 0QD.

Charlton: Button, Wilson, Cort, Morrison, Wiggins, Pritchard, Dervite (Harriott 63), Jackson, Haynes, Fuller, Obika (Green 63). Not used: Hamer, Hughes, Evina, Taylor, Wagstaff.

Burnley: Grant, Trippier, Long, Shackell, Lafferty, Stanislav (Ings 73), Bartley, Kacaniklic (Stock 88), Edgar, Paterson, Austin (Vokes 85). Not used: Jensen, O’Neill, Mills, Treacy. Booked: Austin, Lafferty, Vokes, Paterson.

Referee: S. Hooper. Att: 20,065.

Charlton 0 Nottingham Forest 2 (Majewski 53, Lansbury 60).

Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.

An explanation of Charlton’s miserable home form continues to elude management, fans and, no doubt players who consistently distinguish themselves on the road. Four wins from seventeen Valley games makes miserable reading and may yet drag the Addicks down among the relegation strugglers.

This engagement with Nottingham Forest (don’t mention Notts Forest; I did earlier this season but I think I got away with it), seemed to offer the ideal platform for a reversal of form. Another bumper crowd showed up despite the arctic conditions; the morning snow helpfully failed to settle; groundsman Colin Powell gamely battled climate change to prepare a balding but perfectly playable pitch; stentorian ringside announcer Dave Lockwood nonchalantly shrugged off scurrilous rumours that he’s been lip-synching recently and called the faithful to prayer. But then it all began to go wrong. As too often it does at The Valley.

Arriving on the crest of a wave after demolishing Huddersfield Town on Tuesday, Forest simply took up where they had left off and drove their outplayed hosts to distraction. Orchestrated by midfield schemer Andy Reid, a sylph-like version of the stout little chap who all too briefly trod the boards in S.E 7, the visitors hogged the ball, passing it between them accurately and patiently. Though they lacked an end product in the early going, their air of menace suggested that they were moving through smooth gears and would kick on eventually. They certainly didn’t need the advantage handed them by midweek goal hero Yann Kermorgant eight minutes before the break.

Taking exception to Greg Halford’s muscular ball-shielding on the left touchline, a peeved Kermorgant kicked out irresponsibly at Forest’s lofty centre back who, needless to say, made the most of the moment. Unsure of himself, referee Madley polled linesmen Cooper and Hicks before donning his black cap and consigning the rebellious Frenchman to the tumbrils. Kermorgant will now be unavailable to Chris Powell until the cataclysmic visit of Millwall on March 16th. Reduced to an experienced pair of regular hamstring-twanging strikers in Danny Haynes and Ricardo Fuller -and with Bradley Wright-Phillips turning out for Brentford – Powell could have done without the aggravation. Kermorgant let his manager down; he let his teammates down; he let a mainly adoring crowd down; but, most of all, of course, he let himself down. It was right let-down all round. For with his departure went Charlton realistic chances of weathering the growing storm.

Having bashed six past Huddersfield, Forest made hard work of making their superiority tell. The bulk of their first half chances fell to Polish midfielder Radoslaw Majewski, scorer of a hat-trick against Town. An early drive cleared the bar, a better opportunity was tamely rolled with the outside of his right foot straight at Ben Hamer. Reid’s contribution, apart from his characteristically metronomic passing, was a comically miscued volley, which briefly endangered life and limb in the north Stand Upper Tier. There was even faint hope that Forest’s fire would burn itself out but Kermorgant’s ill-discipline put paid to that notion, not that it ever looked likely to materialise. Eight minutes after the interval, they grabbed a lead they were unlikely to relinquish.

It was Majewski, almost inevitably, who made the overdue breakthrough. His quicksilver burst into the penalty area from the left flank seemed doomed to disappointment amid a posse of red-shirted defenders but momentary hesitation by Scott Wagstaff allowed him to poke a low shot beyond Hamer into the right corner. Charlton were all but beaten already by a side which had dominated them without the need of a gratuitous imbalance.

Still reeling from the setback, the Addicks were easy prey to the second goal, the responsibility for which rests squarely with Hamer. There was a reasonable case for a foul by Darius Henderson on Dorian Dervite in the build up but Hamer should have made short work of dealing with Simon Cox’s tame shot. Instead he spilled it to Henri Lansbury, who scored easily from two yards. Following his game-deciding error at Hull recently, Hamer’s starting place is far from secure, with David Button waiting eagerly for his chance.

Between the goals, Elliott Ward had crashed Reid’s superbly flighted cross against an upright. The chunky Irishman was running riot now and Henderson almost made it three when he hit the same post from another of Reid’s terrific deliveries. In response to the onslaught, Charlton managed a grand total of two off-target efforts. Bradley Pritchard blazed over when Michael Morrison headed Chris Solly’s first half free kick down to him; Johnnie Jackson went closer with a last minute free kick, after Halford was booked for scything down substitute Ricardo Fuller. Forest keeper Karl Darlow was untroubled by anything remotely on target. He could have stayed at home and fished in the Trent. If Reid had joined him, the Addicks might have had half a chance. Nah, probably not!

Kevin Nolan’s Match Report is brought to you in association with , 294 Burnt Ash Hill, London, SE12 0QD.

Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Cort, Morrison, Wiggins, Dervite, Wagstaff (Haynes 59), Stephens (Fuller 46), Pritchard (Obika 90), Jackson, Kermorgant. Not used: Button, Evina, Taylor, Wilson. Sent off: Kermorgant.    

Notnum Forest: Darlow, Reyes, Halford, Ward, Cohen, Guedioura, Lansbury (McGugan 76), Majewski, Reid (Greening 85), Cox (Sharp 80), Henderson. Not used: Evtimov, Collins, Moussi, Blackstock. Booked: Halford.

Referee: A. Madley. Att: 18,697.

Leicester City 1 (Wood 69) Charlton 2 (Kermorgant 19, Haynes 78).

Kevin Nolan reports from the King Prawn Crisps Stadium.

Re-vamped Charlton, featuring three changes from the side which capitulated tamely at Hull three days previously, proved too good for promotion seeking Leicester City in this pivotal fixture. A wonderful winner from substitute Danny Haynes iced the cake but there was pleasure to be found in every mouthwatering layer.

With Rhoys Wiggins replacing his capable deputy Cedric Evina at left back, Dorian Dervite recalled to his familiar role as midfield defensive shield and Scott Wagstaff’s all-round industry preferred to Lawrie Wilson’s attacking instincts in right midfield, the Addicks operated from a sound but fluid 4-1-4-1 system. Yann Kermorgant was asked to operate on his own up top, a position from which the Beast of Brittany terrorised his former club, proving equally effective on the ground as he was predictably in the air. His was a masterclass in mobile front running but, on a day when almost everything else worked, there were heroes wherever you sought them. This outstanding result against one of the Championship’s best teams effectively dispelled the wispy relegation clouds hanging over SE 7, following four games without a win. Those same clouds have drifted across to torment another part of South East London but let’s not go there. Not our problem anyway.

A hesitant start saw City control the opening action, with tricky winger Anthony Knockaert bursting through to sting Ben Hamer’s fingers and Michael Morrison clearing resourcefully from Paul Konchesky’s dangerous low centre. The visitors hadn’t done much until Kermorgant fired them into their important early lead.

Popping up near the left corner flag, Wagstaff typically hustled dawdling Danny Drinkwater into seeking refuge from his attentions along the byline, presumably in search of goalkeeper Kaspar Schmeichel. Nipping in front of startled right back Ritchie De Laet, busy Bradley Pritchard cut back a low pass to the penalty spot, from where Kermorgant’s crisply struck drive unerringly found the bottom right corner. A pantomime hate figure in these parts since missing an overegged semi-final play-off penalty, the Frenchman celebrated his second goal against his former employers this season with gentlemanly Gallic restraint. There were those among us who would have made rather more of it. Indeed, 680 jubilant souls at the far end of the ground did exactly that.

City were not about to submit quietly, of course, and before the interval, Ben Marshall drove through the middle before hitting a drive powerful enough for Hamer to need two awkward attempts at saving it. A better chance was promptly carved out by De Laet, who rampaged through the challenges of Wiggins and Wagstaff to set up Knockaert but the Belgian blasted carelessly over the bar.

A second goal was clearly a priority and shortly after the break, Pritchard had the opportunity to put daylight between the teams but floated Kermorgant’s subtle pass over the bar. After Chris Wood’s foul on Dale Stephens, Johnnie Jackson’s free kick was pawed out to Morrison by Schmeichel, who redeemed his error by brilliantly turning aside the centre back’s venomous, angled volley.

Wood had otherwise been quiet but his voracious appetite for goals was fed on 69 minutes. Favoured by the run of the ball as another of De Laet’s aggressive runs was blocked, the deadeye Kiwi finished instinctively past a helpless Hamer. Suddenly, you didn’t fancy Charlton’s chances so much.

Reacting positively to the Foxes equaliser, however, Chris Powell’s introduction of Haynes was a bold move, even if the withdrawal of the excellent Dervite raised the occasional eyebrow but the move worked like a dream. Haynes hadn’t managed a touch before he read yet another of Kermorgant’s cleverly headed flicks and, with minimal backlift and barely a glance up, exploded a ferocious drive into the top left corner. Charlton’s opener had been greeted enthusiastically enough; the spectacular winner almost literally raised a small part of the roof.

Apart from Hamer’s superb save to keep out Drinkwater’s 30-yard rocket, there was, of course, one last hurdle to surmount. And that would be Charlton’s fabled vulnerability to the added time board, particularly when it shows four minutes. We’ve been there before but the Addicks were coping comfortably enough until Solly’s uncharacteristic foul on Wood gave the sharpshooter one last gasp chance from a 20-yard free kick. From the press box, his drive seemed bound for the net but more reliable witnesses cowering at the other end, assured us it flew well wide. Yeah, right! Course it did.

Must pull myself together before concluding. It definitely went wide and Charlton had finally laid their four added minutes bogey. The perfect end to the perfect day. Useful results elsewhere, too. What’s not to like about Charlton Athletic? And you just gotta love football too.

Kevin Nolan’s Match Report is brought to you in association with , 294 Burnt Ash Hill, London, SE12 0QD.

Leicester: Schmeichel, De Laet, Morgan, Keane, Konchesky, Knockaert (Dyer 64), James (King 79), Drinkwater, Marshall (Gallagher 64), Nugent, Wood. Not used: Vardy, St. Ledger, Logan, Waghorn.

Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Cort, Morrison, Wiggins, Dervite (Haynes 77), Wagstaff (Taylor 90), Stephens (Wilson 90), Pritchard, Jackson, Kermorgant. Not used: Button, Evina, Kerkar, Fuller. Booked: Jackson.

Referee: Michael Naylor. Att: 19,920.

Hull City 1 (Gedo 33) Charlton 0.

Kevin Nolan reports from the KC Stadium.

It’s become commonplace for losing managers to pluck something positive from the debris. Following this routine loss to promotion hopefuls Hull City, Chris Powell did his best to honour that tradition with the observation that his side had “gradually got into it and soldiered on. I asked for a response at half-time and I got that.” As a succinct example of damning with faint praise, this one could serve as a template.

In his more private reflections, Powell might concede that Charlton submitted all too tamely to a side that, despite the contrast in their current ambitions, were only marginally better than his own. A single, disastrous first half goal, entirely avoidable but just as predictable, was enough to settle the issue and the impression was left of a manager who had already moved on – to another daunting assignment at Leicester City on Tuesday evening.

The arrival of Gedo’s 33rd minute goal had been mildly threatened since the kick-off, with the visitors accepting their billing as underdogs and retreating passively into their own half. As early as the 8th minute, the alert intervention of Dale Stephens was required to clear David Meyler’s header off the line. City proceeded to dominate possession, meanwhile, without showing any of the attacking chops expected of Premier League hopefuls, until their visitors gave them a helping hand.

A determined tackle by Johnnie Jackson on Paul McShane conceded a right wing corner which Robbie Brady’s left foot swung toward the penalty spot. Taking charge of the situation, Ben Hamer left his line, was caught in two minds whether to punch or catch but did neither. Instead he missed the ball entirely, allowing it to drop to Gedo, lurking near the far post. Reacting swiftly in the ensuing scramble, the Egyptian forward prodded what proved to be the winning goal over the line, despite Lawrie Wilson’s game effort to keep it out. Charlton’s lamentable failure to achieve a clean sheet, which now stretches back to the Millwall game at the Den on December 1st, was duly extended.

Little was being seen of the Addicks up front but the defensive bravery of Leon Cort kept them in the hunt, such as it was, before the interval. Throwing himself in front of Meyler’s ferocious, goalbound drive, the big centre back took one for the team in heading clear.

As Powell correctly claimed, Charlton improved after the break and occasionally suggested they might equalise. Their best chance fell to busy Bradley Pritchard, who briefly found himself in penalty area space as Chris Solly’s determined run was carried on by Yann Kermorgant. Quickly closed down, Pritchard managed an improvised toepoke, which, tricked narrowly wide of the left post. His various talents, regrettably so far, do not include scoring; the opportunity had fallen to the wrong player.

More likely to manage the feat was 68th minute substitute Danny Haynes, whose pace troubled the Tigers. His crisp volley disappeared into David Stockdale’s midriff; a foot or two either side might have left the keeper helpless but, then again, if ifs and ands were pots and pans etc. One last chance came Haynes’ way in the late going, following good work by Kermorgant and Pritchard. His hopeful lob was parried to safety by Stockdale and all that remained was the lesson, delivered by the cool Humbersiders to their bewildered victims, in running down four added minutes. The Addicks hardly saw the ball until Hamer’s brilliant save denied substitute Tom Cairney’s last kick effort to double City’s lead. Had Charlton shown similar resourcefulness against Birmingham recently, they would be two points nearer their safety target. But there we go with those pots and pans again…

We’ll close with a polite memo to management. Surely there is room, chaps, in this side for the brilliant Rhoys Wiggins. Over to you.

Kevin Nolan’s Match Report is brought to you in association with , 294 Burnt Ash Hill, London, SE12 0QD.

Birmingham: Stockdale, Chester, Hobbs, McShane ( Fathi 58), Elmohamady, Meyler, Bruce, Quinn, Brady, Simpson (Koren 71), Gedo (Cairney 90). Not used: Jakupovic, Rosenior, Evans, Prowschwitz.

Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Morrison, Cort, Evina (Dervite 90), Wilson (Wright-Phillips 80), Stephens, Pritchard, Jackson, Kermorgant, Fuller (Haynes 68). Not used: Button, Taylor, Wagstaff, Wiggins.

Referee: Scott Mathieson.
Att: 16,849.