Charlton secured a priceless three points with a nervy 2-1 win over relegation rivals Barnsley at The Valley.

First half strikes from Lyle Taylor and Andre Green put the Addicks in control before Cauley Woodrow’s powerful finish midway through the second half made the closing stages an uncomfortable affair for the home side.

Despite being buoyed by an active transfer deadline day and the return to the starting line-up for Taylor and Jonny Williams, fortune was on Lee Bowyer’s side as the woodwork came to their rescue on three occasions to secure a crucial win.

Despite a positive opening from the visitors it was the Addicks who struck first.

Taylor settling the early Valley nerves, prodding home from close range after beating the off-side trap to Jason Pearce’s header across goal.

Charlton had Dillon Phillips and the upright to thank on 20 minutes, with the shot stopper making a fine diving save to deny Barnsley’s Mads Andersen’s header, before Aapo Halmo hit the woodwork with the follow up.

The Addick’s confidence grew as the half wore on, but it was nearly their undoing.

From an attacking set-piece, Josh Cullen’s short pass was intercepted only to see the Tykes blaze over after going the full length of the pitch.

The wasteful visitors were made to pay moments before the break, with Green on hand to drive home a loose ball from 12-yards to put the Addicks in full control.  

Full of confidence, the home side went looking for the killer goal after the break but in doing so left themselves open.

After another swift counter, Andersen’s long-range effort was unconventionally cleared by Phillips, before Cauley Woodrow struck the rebound against the woodwork.

Charlton were warned and with 20 minutes to go they were punished.

Allowed to run from his own half, Luke Thomas found Woodrow on the angle to fire past a helpless Phillips to set up a nervy finish.

Tails up the visitors could smell another, but the woodwork came to the Addicks aid one again.

Jacob Brown’s effort from the edge of the box rattled off the bar, falling to Killian Ludewig whose goalbound volley was cleared by Jake Forster-Caskey.  

Bowyer’s men were on the ropes and Banrsley looked to tee-off.

Despite the visitors dominating the closing quarter, Charlton clung on to what was a huge victory at the foot of the table.

 

TEAMS:

Charlton: 3-4-3 Phillips, Matthews, Lockyer, Pearce, Sarr, Pratley, Cullen, Doughty (Purrington 89’), Williams (Forster-Caskey 60’), Green, Taylor (Hemed 68’)

SUBS: Amos, Purrington, Forster-Caskey, McGeady, Hemed, Field, Oztumer

Barnsley: Sahin-Radlinger, Williams, Halme, Andersen, Sollbauer, Odour, Mowatt, Chaplin, Brown, Thomas, Woodrow SUBS: Walton, Williams, Dougal Ludewig, Schmidt, Styles, Simoes

Attendance: 19,870 (Away: 1083)