MATCH REPORT | Wigan Athletic 2 Charlton 1

Charlton suffered a 2-1 defeat to high-flying Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Elliot Lee headed the Addicks into an early lead after meeting Adam Matthews’ precise cross before Will Keane restored parity from the penalty spot on 26 minutes.

There was little to separate the sides in a second period with few chances of note, though Stephen Humphrys emerged from the bench to complete the Latics' comeback 16 minutes from time.

Jackson made four changes from our last league outing, restoring Ryan Inniss, Ben Purrington, Lee and Jonathan Leko to his starting XI.

17-year-old Daniel Kanu - who has scored 31 goals for the academy this term - was named in the matchday 18 for the first time, whilst January recruits Juan Castillo and Nile John also featured in a league squad for the first time.

It would prove to be a fruitful return for Lee, as the Addicks enjoyed a dream start at the DW Stadium.

Adam Matthews delivered a pinpoint cross for the Luton Town loanee, who ghosted in at the far post to nod the Addicks ahead.

Lee was involved again soon after, this time seeing a low drive blocked by Jack Whatmough but only as far as the advancing Alex Gilbey, who rattled Ben Amos’ woodwork with a curling left-footed effort. 

However, the hosts were given a golden opportunity to level proceedings on 26 minutes as Sean Clare felled Callum Lang inside the box.

And Keane converted coolly from 12 yards, drilling his effort down into the roof of the net.

Former Addick Amos palmed away Clare’s tantalising centre in unorthodox fashion at the other end, before Inniss produced a superb last-ditch lunge to dispossess Lang in the box.

The Addicks saw penalty appeals of their own waved before the interval when Inniss toppled in the box, despite the skipper having had his shirt pulled off his back.

Chances proved to be few and far between for both sides after the restart until the 74th-minute as substitute Humphrys emerged from the Latics’ bench to make an immediate impact.

Just three minutes after his introduction, Max Power delivered a deep corner for Whatmough to nod down for the substitute, who poked home from close range.

Both Kanu and Castillo were introduced on 82 minutes as Jackson upped the ante, though it ultimately bore no fruit as the Addicks were condemned to defeat in Greater Manchester.

Wigan Athletic: Amos; Kerr, Whatmough, Tilt; Darikwa (c), Power, Naylor, McClean; Lang (Edwards 90+4), Keane (Humphrys 71); Magennis

Subs (not used): Jones, Watts, Rea, Shinnie, Massey

Goals: Keane (pen) 26, Humphrys 74

Booked: Darikwa 24 (dissent)

Charlton: MacGillivray; Clare, Inniss (c), Purrington; Matthews (Castillo 82), Gilbey, Dobson, Lee, Jaiyesimi; Leko, Burstow (Kanu 82)

Subs (not used): Henderson, Lavelle, Pearce, Morgan, John

Goal: Lee 7

Booked: Clare 4 (foul on Lang), Dobson 55 (foul on McClean), Kanu 90 (foul on Whatmough)

Referee: Tom Nield

Attendance: 9,657 (614 from Charlton)

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