What went wrong?

Charlton drew 2-2 at home with Scunthorpe today, surrendering a half-time 2-0 lead with the visitors scoring their equaliser in time added on.  With MK Dons winning 6-2 against Chesterfield, they took top place in the table from Charlton.  The moaners found their voice again and boos were heard at the end of the game.

Charlton never looked as composed as they did against Bournemouth or as they appear to have been in the two away wins, but they certainly edged the first half.  In the second half they lost momentum while the Iron upped their game.  Some chances were missed and poor decision-making occurred when the Addicks tried to keep the ball by the corner flag in the 87th minute rather than lauching an attack to try and get a third goal.

In our section of the East Stand, we thought that we were vulnerable to attacks down our right and would have substituted Solly.

A series of mug shots was put on the big screen before the game but to my surprise Dowie and Pardew were nowhere to be seen among the suspected perpetrators of damage.

Bradley Wright-Phillips went down after a  clash in the opening minute but was fortunately not hurt and was able to launch a run on goal which was saved by the keeper.   Elliot had to tip a curving ball over to prevent a goal.  The subsequent Scunthorpe corner went off but Elliot should have come for it.  A free kick for Scunthorpe by the touchline led to a corner.

A Scunthorpe corner was cleared by Johnnie Jackson.  There were some good play by Stephens.  He turned provider for Wright-Phillips who flicked the ball on well but the subsequent effort went just wide.

A free kick by Wiggins on 20 minutes set up a goalmouth scramble.   Initially we thought the ball had gone wide but Johnnie Jackson found the back of the net to make it 1-0.   The Bloke Beside Me said that the actual time was 19:47, a very propitious date in Charlton's (and my) history.

Solly put in some good defensive work.   Elliot had to stop a shot and then another effort from distance went just wide, signalling Scunthorpe's intent.   Johnnie Jackson put in a good cross, but no one was able to connect with it.

Some energetic action with the pitchforks was required of the ground staff as the heavy rain in the first half had produced a very slippery surface.

Half time: Addicks 1, Iron 0

The second half was characterised by bright sunshine. Scunthorpe took off Paul Reid and brought on Neil Canavan.  Ellliot saved well.  Hayes had a chance but his effort was weak, although it was deflected for a Charlton corner.   Pressure from Scunthorpe led to a succession of corners from them, once again Elliot stayed rooted to his line.

A great cross from Hollands allowed Wright-Phillips to put a bullet header in the back of the net to make it 2-0.   Scunthorpe nearly scored, but Elliot did well at the expense of a corner for the visitors.   Bradley Wright-Phillips played in Hayes, but his effort was saved with his legs by the keeper.

Scunthorpe captain Sam Togwell received a yellow card for a blatant trip.   Scunthorpe took off Mark Duffy and brought on Jimmy Ryan.   Wagstaff forged forward well, but he should have passed the ball rather than trying to do it all himself.

On 73 minutes Scunthorpe made it 2-1 through striker Bobby Grant, although as Chris Powell noted later, the ball richocheted around a lot.   Green came on in place of Wagstaff and Scunthorpe made their last substitution with Andy Barcham replaced by Garry Thompson.  Hayes was then replaced by Euell fir his Valley return.

Elliot made a great save.  Green put in a great cross, but no one was able to make use of it.   Green received a yellow card.   Canavan was given a yellow card for obstruction.  A Charlton corner was mistakenly played as a defensive move.

Wright-Phillips was replaced by Doherty which arguably upset the balance of the side.   Five minutes were added on.  Solly should have cleared the ball more decisively and this gave Bobby Grant the chance to make it 2-2.   In the remaining time Scunthorpe had two more corners and looked as if they might score again.

Match analysis

No one had an outstanding game in a Charlton shirt or indeed for either side but Ivy the Terrible has awarded the Silver Bone to Johnnie Jackson for his goal and his contribution throughout the game.  Elliot made some good saves.  He is a good shot stopper, but is less impressive at corners and stays rooted to one place too much.  However, he probably could not have done anything about the two goals.  Morrison did create danger in the first half by giving the ball away but he and Taylor had a competent performance, although I would like to see their positioning for the two goals.   Wiggins had a relatively quiet game, but I could not fault him for anything, although those in the row behind me has already decided he is not good enough.   Solly is often good on the ball, but his lack of height can give him problems and a poor clearance arguably led to one of the goals.  Hollands is another player who has been named as not good enough by those in the row behind, but he put a superb cross in for the Wright-Phillips goal and was generally involved.  Wagstaff had his moments, but was not consistent enough.   Stephens was less impressive than against Bournemouth.  Hayes was fully involved but did not take full advantage of some chances.  Wright-Phillips has clearly got his scoring boots on and seems more involved generally than he was last season.  Green showed in his Valley debut that he can deliver some good crosses and free kicks.   Euell was warmly greeted by the Addickted and was busy and displayed some skill.   If Doherty was meant to shore up the defence, he failed to do so in his cameo.

Juneau the Soccer Cat has awarded the Hiss of the Match to the East Stand linesman who seemed unable or unwilling to tell the referee what was happening in front of him.