Middlesbrough 0 Charlton 1
Conor Coady was the match-winner as Charlton secured a valuable three points on the road at second-placed Middlesbrough.
Nathan Jones’ side defended bravely to keep a 13th clean sheet of the season and despite giving up plenty of possession caused the home side problems on the counter-attack.
In the middle of a busy three-game week, Jones made five changes to the side that beat Birmingham City at the weekend, including rotating out Lloyd Jones who was one yellow card away from a two-match ban.
Those coming into the side were excellent, demonstrating the depth of the Charlton squad. The Addicks also benefited from a dogged, hard-working midfield performance from Conor Coventry, Greg Docherty and Sonny Carey.
The home side had two early chances in the third minute when David Strelec saw his shot blocked and from the ensuing scramble Morgan Whittaker dragged across goal from a tight angle.
Middlesbrough’s best chance of the first half fell to Matt Targett, who found the ball at his feet unmarked at the back post but smashed his effort off target. Coady then made a vital last-ditch challenge to deny Strelec.
The Addicks were able to have some joy on the break and had an excellent chance in the 27th minute. On the counter-attack Harry Clarke accelerated down the right onto a Sonny Carey long ball. Clarke’s early ball across goal was perfectly weighted but ‘Boro’s goalkeeper Sol Brynn was out quickly to narrow the angle for Charlie Kelman at the back post, whose shot was smothered behind for a corner by Brynn.
Will Mannion then made a brilliant save to tip Aidan Morris’ powerful shot onto the crossbar, as the two sides went in level at half-time.
The home side had plenty more possession to start the second half without troubling Mannion, and both teams made a number of changes ahead of a 59th minute long throw from the Addicks. It was from that set-piece that Charlton took their lead. Clarke launched in a huge throw-in from the right and Coady got in front of his man inside the six-yard box, guiding a flick past Brynn.
Substitute Leo Castledine had a chance to equalise in the 68th minute but headed over from close range.
The Addicks had to defend resolutely, with Middlesbrough having 78% of possession but despite 34 attemps on goal by the home side, no-one was able to find a way past Mannion.
Nathan Jones’ side remain nine points clear of the relegation zone with nine games remaining and head to Oxford United on Saturday.
Middlesbrough: Brynn, Brittain, Targett (Hansen 89), Hackney (c), McGree (Sene 74), Conway, Whittaker (Sarmiento 57), Ayling, Strelec (Castledine 57), Morris, Malanda
Subs (not used): Wildsmith, Gilbert, Munroe, Edmundson
Charlton: Mannion; Gough (Ramsay 58), Coady, Gillesphey (Bell 65); Clarke, Coventry, Carey, Docherty (c) (Jones 89), Chambers; Kelman (Campbell 58), Leaburn (Dykes 58)
Subs (not used): Brooks, Rankin-Costello, Fevrier, Fullah
Goal: Coady 59
Assist: Clarke 59
Booked: Chambers 39 (foul on Brittain), Gillesphey 45 (foul on McGree)
Referee: Adam Herczeg
Attendance: 24,668
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