Steve Jones grabbed the winner as Charlton continued their challenge for
Premiership status with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Swindon at the County Ground
this afternoon.
Alan Curbishley's men showed the kind of determination that has seen them
climb to fourth spot in the League to overcome an uninventive Swindon side.
Steve McMahon's men, who only a few months ago were flying high at the top of
the division, never took control of the game which was made even worse by the
swirling wind and driving rain.
But Charlton showed why they deserved to be playing among the big boys next
season with a well taken second half goal from Jones.
Swindon looked like taking the lead when, in the 13th minute, defender Danny
Mills missed a through ball to Mark Walters whose shot along a greasy surface
went straight into the grateful hands of keeper Sasa Ilic.
But four minutes later Charlton showed the fluency that has seen them look
like strong promotion contenders when Shaun Newton's pass found Clive Mendonca
whose powerful shot went straight into the side netting.
Jones' 19th-minute shot from close range was parried for a corner by Swindon
keeper Fraser Digby. From the resulting corner the ball fell to Keith Jones
whose powerful shot zipped along the surface but well held by Digby.
As the first half came to a close Walters turned Mills on the edge of the box
but was brought down in line with the penalty spot but referee Roger Fernandez
refused to point to the spot.
In the 51st minute Charlton came close to opening the scoring when skipper
Mark Kinsella's corner caught the wind and, for a moment, looked like beating
Digby but the keeper palmed it away for a corner.
Swindon never gave up and, in the 55th minute, George Ndah powered through the
defence but his weak shot was cleared.
After periods of scrappy play the game was decided when Jones blocked Ty
Gooden's attempted clearance. He ran on to the rebound and slid the ball past
the grounded Digby.
Charlton fans behind the goal celebrated by chanting, "We are going up," and
nobody would disagree with them.
Teams
Swindon: Digby, Kerslake, Borrows, McDonald, Bullock,
Robinson (Cuervo 85), Walters, Leitch, Onuora, Ndah, Gooden.
Subs Not Used: Hay, Watson.
Charlton: Ilic, Mills, Bowen, K. Jones, Rufus, Youds, Newton,
Kinsella, S. Jones, Mendonca, Mortimer.
Subs Not Used: Heaney, Emblen, Brown.
Goals: S. Jones 80.
Att: 7,845
Ref: R D Furnandiz (Doncaster).
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