Charlton 1-0 Leeds

Akpo Sodje’s header appeared to take a deflection off a Leeds defender before hitting the back of the net but most of the 23,198 crowd will care little for who got the final touch as it was their side who bagged the crucial three points.

The Addicks are now two points behind the Yorkshire side with one game to play, but Leeds will see this as a missed opportunity to seal a guaranteed place in the Championship after Millwall’s defeat at Tranmere.

Substitute Jermaine Beckford missed two glorious chances either side of the goal and although still second, they must now beat Bristol Rovers at home on the final day to avoid the lottery of the play-offs.

Manager Phil Parkinson named an unchanged starting XI from last week’s 1-1 draw at Exeter, with Sam Sodje recovering from the knee injury which saw him substituted at St James’ Park.

Sam Sodje survived a howler on two minutes when his back pass which put Max Gradel through on goal but Darren Randolph saved the defender’s blushes by pulling off a save.

Charlton responded almost immediately when Lloyd Sam’s cross picked out Nicky Forster but his shot was deflected behind for a corner.

Sam had a penalty appeal ignored when he claimed Richard Naylor had handled his seventh minute volley in the area.

Gradel had a 10th minute shot charged down by Christian Dailly after Therry Racon had cheaply given the ball away outside of the area.

Forster shrugged off Neil Collins to deliver a cross but Deon Burton was unable to make a decent connection with it and the danger was scrambled away.

Bradley Johnson tested Randolph Randolph with a long range 14th minute effort but the Addicks keeper dealt comfortably with the attempt.

Gradel fired wide after a decent Leeds move began with Johnson beating the offside trap on 19 minutes.

Robert Snodgrass shot tamely off target eight minutes later but it was Charlton who came closest on the half hour when Burton’s stunning volley was somehow kept out by Leeds keeper Shane Higgs.

Burton came to the rescue at the other end when he put behind Collins’ 34th minute shot for a corner.

Sam Sodje picked up the first yellow card of the game seven middles later after clashing with Luciano Becchio, with Johnson also booked moments later for a foul on Sam.

Both sides went in level at the break but the news Millwall were losing at Tranmere gave the travelling supporters plenty to cheer at the midway point.

Sam had the first opportunity of the second half but his 48th minute shot lacked power and conviction, enabling Higgs to pull off an easy save.

Racon blazed over from the edge of the area six minutes later, while Snodgrass fired straight at Randolph from Becchio’s cross as the game remained evenly poised.

Higgs was forced to get down low to keep out Racon’s 25-yarder and the visiting keeper was called into action seconds later to deal with Jose Semedo’s shot.

Sam Sodje missed a sitter when he somehow headed over from two yards after Leeds failed to clear the danger from a corner.

Jermaine Beckford entered the fray on 64 minutes for Snodgrass as Leeds went all out to seal promotion with the Lions still losing at Tranmere.

Those Leeds fans behind Randolph’s goal were even more bullish news when news came through Millwall were 2-0 behind.

Parkinson made a triple substitution midway through the half when he introduced David Mooney, Kyel Reid and Akpo Sodje for Forster, Racon and Burton.

Akpo Sodje almost made an instant impact but he headed straight at Higgs after meeting Bailey’s cross.

Sam came within inches of firing Charlton in front when his 74th minute drive from 18 yards went inches over the bar.

Beckford missed a sitter five minutes from time when he fired into the side netting from six yards.

But it was Charlton who broke the deadlock on 88 minutes when Sam’s cross was met by the head of Akpo Sodje, whose on-target had taken a cruel deflection off a Leeds defender.

The Press Association reported Neil Kilkenny had scored an own goal, but confusion reigned afterwards as several reporters thought it was in fact Naylor who got the unfortunate last touch.

Naylor was booked for handball after stopping Akpo Sodje in his tracks 20 yards from goal and Higgs got a crucial touch to fingertip Reid’s free-kick onto the post.

Randolph produced an equally impressive save in stoppage time to keep out Beckford’s header but the Addicks broke quickly through Reid and the move ended with Gary Borrowdale firing just over.

But there was no way back for Leeds and they and Charlton will both go into the final weekend knowing there is still everything to play for.

Charlton: Randolph, Richardson, S Sodje, Dailly, Borrowdale Sam, Racon (Reid 68), Semedo, Bailey, Burton (A Sodje 68), Forster (Mooney 68). Subs not used: Elliot, Llera, Wagstaff. Att: 23,198.