, REPORT: Captain Pearce heads Charlton into play-offs

REPORT: Captain Pearce heads Charlton into play-offs

Charlton Athletic have boosted their chances of reaching the Sky Bet League One play-off places after a dramatic 2-0 victory over Shrewsbury Town.

The game was still level with 20 minutes remaining, but Jason Pearce’s 74th minute header and Josh Magennis’ injury time long-range lob secured the points for Charlton, who move up to fifth in the league standings.

The defeat for Salop denied them the chance of moving to within two points of the automatic promotion places.

It was the visiting side’s first league win in Shropshire since 1972.

On-loan Norwich City striker Carlton Morris came close to putting the hosts ahead inside the first 20 minutes, but he was unable to steer his effort on target.

The Addicks had a golden opportunity to take the lead against the run of play moments later, however, defender Aristote Nsiala was quick to block on-loan Arsenal forward Stephy Mavididi’s effort.

Nsiala then had an attempt of his own from a free kick, where he saw his header saved by visiting goalkeeper Ben Amos.

Caretaker Charlton manager Lee Bowyer clearly provided an inspiring half time team talk, as his side began the second half as the dominant team.

Winger Tarique Fosu was one of the six changes made by Bowyer from the side that lost 1-0 to Scunthorpe United last weekend and on the hour mark, the ex-Reading man saw his effort from outside of the penalty area tipped over the cross bar by on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson.

The resulting corner taken by Jake Forster-Caskey found the head of captain Pearce, who steered his header wide.

But the Charlton skipper was indeed the man who gave his side the lead with less than 20 minutes remaining, as he again met a set-piece taken by Forster-Caskey, only this time he found the net with his close-range header.

Mavididi came close to doubling Charlton’s lead late on, with his driven effort forcing a top quality save out of Henderson.

Northern Ireland international striker Magennis secured the points for Charlton in bizarre fashion. Shrews ‘keeper Henderson spooned his attempted clearance into the air, with the balling falling at the feet of Magennis, who kept his composure and perfectly executed a side-footed lob over the stranded Henderson to earn Charlton their first win in four matches.

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