Notts County 1-0 Charlton Athletic

An otherwise even game on a horrendous playing surface was decided by a Simon Francis own goal early in the second half.

The Addicks really should have levelled when they were awarded a penalty shortly past the hour mark, only for Bradley Wright-Phillips to fire a tame effort straight at goalkeeper Stuart Nelson.

The first possibility of the game came on two minutes: Kevin McDonald completed a good one-two with Carl Regan, but Regan’s cross into the danger zone found very few striped shirts in a position to convert.

It was almost all County in the early stages, and Rob Elliot had to tip away a low curler from Craig Westcarr after the forward had jinked his way into some space inside the ‘D’.

With less than 15 minutes on the Haydn Green Family Stand clock, Francis’ long ball upfield left Anyinsah alone with an outrushing Nelson, but the keeper clattered Anyinsah after the forward had lobbed the ball towards goal.

Nelson only received a yellow from referee Jonathan Moss, however, with defenders in position to prevent a goalscoring opportunity.

On 19 minutes, Johnnie Jackson was set free on the left by a good through pass and although Nelson spilled his low centre, Wright-Phillips wasn’t able to capitalise a shot on target.

By now the visitors had got a foothold in the game and further speculative efforts game from long range courtesy of Anyinsah and Wright-Phillips.

Halfway through the first 45, the Magpies were able to get another chance on target when Alan Gow had his low shot tipped around the post by Elliot.

Gow was close again with a dipping off-target effort on 32 minutes, shortly after Wright-Phillips had done well to win possession from Krystian Pearce only to fire straight at Nelson.

County wasted a good chance to break by losing possession but although Nathan Eccleston looked well offside when Jose Semedo looped the ball over the hosts’ back line, he fluffed an early attempt instead of taking the ball on with only Nelson to beat.

Minutes before the whistle for half-time, a bout of County miscommunication allowed the Addicks to attack with Eccleston surging forward, only for Nelson to rush out and block well.

Though the first half was pretty even over the course of the 45, the second period saw the deadlock broken inside four minutes.

Neal Bishop claimed the goal from a County free-kick out on the left, though the final touch appeared to come from Francis for the own goal.

Substitute Scott Wagstaff, on for Jackson at the break, had a chance to level soon after but his volley on the turn from Carl Jenkinson’s cross went straight into Nelson’s waiting grasp.

Jenkinson had done well out of position at left-back for the first hour, but almost put the visitors in deep trouble with a lofted back pass to Elliot’s weaker right foot which the keeper was just able to get out of danger.

Winning a corner at the opposite end shortly following, Charlton had another good chance to level with Christian Dailly volleying over from Francis’ cross.

But their biggest chance came on 62 minutes as Jenkinson sent Anyinsah forward on the left, with the striker brought down after attempting to play Wright-Phillips in on goal.

Unfortunately, Wright-Phillips fired the ensuing spot kick straight at Nelson in a rather weak effort, and the County Kop erupted in rejoice and relief.

Elliot almost spilled a Gow free-kick into the path of substitute Lee Hughes, but recovered the ball before Hughes could drive it into the back of the net.

Charlton: Elliot, Francis, Doherty, Dailly, Jenkinson, Eccleston (Reid 74), Semedo, Racon, Jackson (Wagstaff 46), Anyinsah, Wright-Phillips. Subs not used: Worner, Solly, Fortune, Fry, McCormack. Att: 8141