On A Knife Edge

The only change to the team that looked so impressive at Oldham saw fit again Sam Sodje replace Miguel Llera alongside Christin Dailly.

Darren Randolph was again at his best to deny Charlie Austin inside two minutes. The young Irishman has been so impressive since coming into the side, it is hard to see why he spent so long on the sidelines.

Sky’s studio guest, Dean Kiely must have been purring. Swindon were by far the better team in the opening period and Charlton were fortunate to reach the break on level terms.

The game came to life in the opening minutes of the second half though. Charlton, looking much livelier, fashioned a chance for Bailey on the left. The skipper’s long range effort came back off the inside of the post to be cleared.

But as so often happens, the let off inspired the opposition and Swindon took the lead seven minutes after the restart when Charlie Austin ended a run of goalless games. He beat Sodje and Borrowdale to Alan Sheehan’s deep cross to power the Robins in front at the far post.

Charlton’s response was good as they pinned their hosts back. They fell for a sucker punch on the hour mark though. They over committed in attack to allow Swindon a two on one breakaway situation. The lively Danny Ward finished with aplomb.

The away end fell silent but not for long. Five minutes later, a huge clearance from Randolph saw Deon Burton bravely get between David Lucas and a defender to head the Addicks back into the tie. Burton fell to his knees in front of a rapturous away support to rekindle the match.

Indeed, it could have got even better if Burton had got his head on a left-wing corner. It was Swindon who finished the stronger though, Sodje had to make a tremendous block to foil Ward and substitute, Vincent Pericard, hit the inside of the post at the death.

So it’s still very much up-for-grabs at The Valley on Monday night when the Valley faithful will be hoping for an early goal to settle their nerves.