Preston North End 2 Charlton 0
Charlton’s four-game unbeaten run ended with a 2-0 defeat at Preston North End.
In a tight game the first goal was always going to be important and it was former Addick Thierry Small who gave the home side the lead in the 67th minute with a contentious goal that took a deflection and looped over Thomas Kaminski.
As the Addicks chased an equaliser the home side took advantage, adding a second to make sure of the three points.
Nathan Jones made one change to the Charlton starting line-up with Reece Burke returning as Amari’i Bell moved to the substitutes bench due to a minor knock. It meant Kayne Ramsay played in the left-wing back role going up against former teammate, Small.
It was a first half of few chances for either side. For Preston, Lewis Dobbin came closest with a clever turn in the Charlton box to get away from his defender before smashing a shot high and wide.
The Addicks’ best bit of play in the opening period was a nice passing move down the right. Captain Greg Docherty set James Bree, just outside the area, but the in-form wing back rushed his left-footed shot and wasn’t able to hit the target.
Just before the break Jordan Storey made a vital intervention to stop Tyreece Campbell getting on the end of a devilish Charlie Kelman cross from the right.
The second half started in equally cagey fashion. Campbell couldn’t quite touch home Burke’s whipped cross and Docherty shot wide after a long throw caused havoc in the home side’s box.
Kaminski made an excellent save just after the hour mark to keep out Ali McCann’s header from close range, when the midfielder looked certain to score.
The home side took a 67th minute lead and it came through Small whose right-footed shot took a cruel deflection and looped over Kaminski, after a heavily disputed throw-in was awarded Preston’s way.
With the away side looking for a leveller the game opened up and Preston were able to take advantage with Alfie Devine beating the offside trap and centring for Daniel Jebbison, sliding in, to poke home.
Lloyd Jones headed over from a set-piece as the Addicks tried to get back into the game.
The Sky Bet Championship now pauses for an international break, with Charlton back at The Valley on Saturday, October 18th, for the visit of Sheffield Wednesday.
Preston North End: Iversen, Vukcevic (Lindsay 76), Whiteman (c), Armstrong, McCann, Jebbison (Smith 81), Storey, Hughes, Dobbin (Devine 76), Gibson, Small (Offiah 87)
Subs (not used): Walton, Frokjaer, Thordarson, Osmajic, Gryba
Goals: Small 67, Jebbison 80
Assists: Dobbin 67, Devine 80
Charlton: Kaminski; Burke (Bell 69), Jones, Gillesphey; Ramsay, Carey (Knibbs 69), Coventry (c) (Berry 79), Docherty, Bree; Kelman (Olaofe 69), Campbell (Leaburn 58)
Subs (not used): Maynard-Brewer, Rankin-Costello, Hernández, Apter
Booked: Gillesphey 38 (foul on Dobbin), Berry 90+6 (dissent)
Referee: James Linnington
Attendance: 14,991
