MK Dons 0-1 Charlton

The striker, currently on loan from fellow League One outfit Brighton, won and converted the deciding spot-kick on 65 minutes at stadium:mk.

And although the hosts stepped it up a gear in their pursuit of an equaliser late on, Phil Parkinson’s men held on to give their chances of an automatic promotion place a massive shot in the arm.

A lengthy feeling-out process between the two sides saw few attempts on either goal, though the Addicks had the ball in the Dons net after ten minutes only for Dave Mooney to have been deemed offside while playing Forster in.

Mooney remained onside for a good chance of his own moments later with Forster returning the favour to set the Irishman up, only for him to mis-hit his effort allowing Willy Gueret to comfortably collect.

It wasn’t until the 14th minute that the Dons threatened themselves, but after Kyel Reid conceded a free kick 30 yards out, Peter Leven’s delivery found the unmarked head of home captain Dean Lewington who may well have scored if he had connected properly.

While the home side started to build some attacking momentum from there, Dons debutant Adam Chicksen possibly received some lee-weigh to only see yellow after lunging with two feet at the heels of Forster, who tumbled to the grass five seconds later for added effect.

With half an hour played, the game still refused to swing decisively in either side’s favour, though ex-West Ham winger Luke Chadwick came close with an impressive low drive from 25 yards which trickled just beyond the far post.

Charlton had their best chance of the first half with eight minutes remaining before the break as Mooney raced forward to the right of the Dons penalty area, and although his attempt to square to Forster was closed down well by Lewington, he got a second chance to play Therry Racon onto the edge of the box whose second attempt was held well by Gueret.

It took a last ditch challenge from Frazer Richardson to thwart a good Dons attack, but the Reds revounded with just minutes to go before half-time as Scott Wagstaff one-twoed with Forster to sprint into the box only to scuff his shot wide.

Indeed, while the atmosphere in a near-empty stadium mk was virtually non-existent but for the rallying cries of the visiting support, the game appeared to increase in volume gradually towards the interval.

Jermaine Easter, the man whose goal put Wycombe in the Carling Cup semi-finals at Charlton’s expense in 2006, forced a great save from an otherwise untested Darren Randolph in goal only for the away side to immediately break with a move that saw both Forster and Wagstaff millimetres away from connecting in the danger zone.

The hosts started off the second half the brightest, and Chadwick looked likely to break the deadlock with his piercing run into the box, but his attempt was blocked and the follow-up from Aaron Wilbraham sent wide.

And it was Charlton who found the all-elusive first goal as a slick move went from substitute Lloyd Sam to Mooney and through to Forster, who found himself felled by Sean O’Hanlon for a spot kick which the on-loan forward converted himself.

MK went straight on in search of an equaliser, however, and a corner from Chicksen found the head of David McCracken who forced another sterling parry from Randolph.

With less than twenty minutes remaining, the hosts’ constant pressure to draw level peaked with Chadwick’s excellent through pass to Easter needing a fantastic block from the onrushing Randolph to keep the Addicks in front.

And despite five minutes of added time, stretched out even longer by an injury scare for O'Hanlon, Charlton held on to seal their first win in four and go within two points of second place.

CHARLTON: Randolph, Richardson, Dailly, S.Sodje, Borrowdale, Wagstaff (Sam 59), Semedo, Racon, Reid, Mooney (A.Sodje 76), Forster (Shelvey 76).

Subs not used: Warner, Llera, Solly, Spring.

Goal: Forster (pen) 65.

Att: 10,869.