Addicks Secure Vital Lift

Charlton managed to snatch a dramatic late win against Southampton at St Mary’s ending their barron run of three straight defeats.

The Addicks left it until the last minute to break the ice with Chris Iwelumo cooly heading home after good work from Luke Varney. The win will taste even better for Charlton boss Alan Pardew and their fans as Charlton had to play around 60 minutes of the tie with just ten men after Jose Semendo was sent off for a second bookable offence.

In contrast the game was a tight affair with either goalkeeper getting properly tested.

Saints best chance fell to Stern John just before half-time but he fluffed the ball wide after brilliant build up play from youngster Bradley Wright-Phillips.

Sam Sodje who has looked deadly in recent weeks from set pieces kept up this tradition by heading an Andy Reid corner on to the bar in the 7th minute only to see the rebounding ball hacked away.

The second half saw a scrappy battle between two sides which arguably should be in better positions in the Championship table to which they were at the start of today’s play.

A Saint’s free kick in the 89th minute saw Nicky Weaver make a decent save from an Idiakez drive.

The late drama then unfolded us Charlton broke down the right hand side through sub, Luke Varney who was able to get enough on his cross to meet the head of Chris Iwelumo, who managed to firmly place the ball at the back of the Southampton net.

A tense six minutes of stoppage time followed but Charlton were able to stand firm and take all three points back to SE7