Step towards survival

Charlton took an important step towards survival with a 2-1 win over playoff hopefuls Southend United at The Valley this afternoon. The Addicks are now five points off the relegation zone and have eight teams below them.

Ricky Holmes opened the scoring for the Addicks on six minutes. The visitors equalised five minutes later, but Forster-Caskey created the winner on 74 minutes.

Holmes picked the ball up on the left flank and, with Jason Demetriou backing off, he advanced into the penalty area and unleashed a low, left footed shot which seemed to fly through the legs of Blues’ on loan goalkeeper Christian Walton at the near post before nestling in the back of the net.

After the break, an Addicks corner caused chaos in the Shrimpers' penalty area as Josh Magennis' overhead kick deflected off a Southend player which had to be cleared off the line. After 61 minutes, Stephen McLaughlin was put through by Simon Cox but Declan Rudd did well to deny the midfielder.

Charlton then took the lead after 74 minutes when Nathan Byrne's cross was flicked on by substitute Jake Forster-Caskey before the ball came off Southend defender Thompson to concede an own goal.

The Addicks threatened with Josh Magennis seeing a close range effort ruled out for offside. In reply, McLaughlin then sent a low shot straight at Rudd before the Irishman’s 25 yard free-kick was pushed wide of the left post by the keeper. But, right at the death, the Shrimpers wasted a clearer chance to score when Nouble headed McGlashan’s left wing cross wide of the right post from inside the six yard box.

Karl Robinson thinks that training at The Valley helped and has declared that none of the players took the piss in today's match. just as well with so many vinegar pissers in the crowd: Robinson jubilant