Charlton 2 Bristol Rovers 0
The Addicks made it six wins in eight league games with a comfortable 2-0 win at home to Bristol Rovers to move within a point of the playoffs.
Matty Godden and Josh Edwards found the net in a scintillating first half for Nathan Jones' side, who were then able to see the game out with a 12th clean sheet of the season.
Even before the game kicked off, the Charlton fans were celebrating as it was announced that Lloyd Jones has signed a new contract with the Addicks.
After a few early corners for the visitors the Addicks wrestled control and Thierry Small gave Rovers an early warning, cutting inside and dragging his shot just wide in the 12th minute.
It was just a minute later that the Addicks took the lead and Small was involved again, the wing back made good progress down the right and his cross eventually came to Tyreece Campbell on the edge of the area. Campbell cut inside but dragged his shot, which fell perfectly to Godden to guide home his 10th goal of the season.
Rovers’ goalkeeper Josh Griffiths had an excellent spell in the middle of the first half. First he tipped Godden’s whipped shot over the crossbar, then he did well to tip away Luke Berry’s free kick and he was at full stretch to palm away Macaulay Gillesphey’s header from 16 yards.
Griffiths’ best save though was denying Godden a second when the striker got a touch on Lloyd Jones’ header at goal, with the Rovers’ stopper able to keep him out at the second attempt.
After all the pressure Charlton’s second came when the ball fell to Edwards outside the penalty area. The Scot cut inside onto his weaker right foot and unleashed a low shot into the bottom corner of the goal that gave Griffiths no chance to keep the ball out.
Ashley Maynard-Brewer’s only save of the first half came six minutes before the break, with the Australian diving across goal to keep out Scott Sinclair’s free kick.
Charlton’s dominance was highlighted by Inigo Calderon’s decision to substitute Clinton Mola at half time. The left back had been booked for an early foul on Kayne Ramsay, and had suffered a torrid time at the hands of Small.
It wasn’t any easier for his replacement, Lino Sousa, who lost a foot race to Small four minutes after the break and was grateful to Griffiths, who narrowed the angle well, and blocked his shot behind for a corner.
More substitutions followed for the visitors and the game settled, with Bristol Rovers winning plenty of possession but unable to do much with it.
Small had the next sight of goal when Godden fed him with a well-weighted pass after a lovely first touch. The wing back’s low shot was comfortable for the busy Griffiths.
Griffiths again did well with a low save to keep out substitute Daniel Kanu with six minutes remaining and Small’s tackled follow-up went just wide of goal. Four minutes later Kanu curled just wide of goal.
The Addicks were rarely troubled with Maynard-Brewer keeping another clean sheet. Nathan Jones’ side travel to Blackpool on Saturday as they look to continue their good form.
Charlton: Maynard-Brewer; Ramsay, Jones, Gillesphey; Small, Coventry, Berry (Anderson 65), Docherty (c), Edwards (Edmonds-Green 90); Godden (Kanu 77), T.Campbell (Aneke 77)
Subs (not used): Mannion, A.Mitchell, Leaburn
Goals: Godden 13, Edwards 36
Assist: T.Campbell 13
Booked: Docherty 88 (foul on Forde)
Bristol Rovers: Griffiths, Moore, Wilson, Mola (Sousa 46), Sinclair (c) (O’Donkor 58), Ward (Hutchinson 58), Sotiriou (Thomas 77), Taylor, Martin, Forde, Lindsay (Sawyers 58)
Subs (not used): Hall, Senior
Booked: Mola 11 (foul on Ramsay)
Referee: Farai Hallam
Attendance: 11,149 (350 from Bristol Rovers)