Charlton were eliminated from the Checkatrade Trophy at Colchester on Tuesday evening. The game finished 1-1 in normal time, but the U’s won the penalty shoot-out 4-3.
Russell Slade retained only four of the team that started against Scunthorpe – Nicky Ajose, Andrew Crofts, Kevin Foley and Ezri Konsa – and handed a first start to Joe Aribo.
Slade deployed three central defenders – Jorge Teixeira and Harry Lennon flanking Roger Johnson. Ezri Konsa and Adam Chicksen were pushed on as wing-backs.
The game was a poor affair played in front of a sparse audience, with little goalmouth action.
The Addicks went ahead after 32 minutes, Ajose applying a neat finish to Joe Aribo’s cross.
The lead lasted just ten minutes. Drey Wright floated in a cross from the right, and Macauley Bonne rose unopposed to bullet a header past Dillon Phillips.
There was little sign of a winner emerging in the second period, and the game went to penalties.
Phillips pulled off a fine save to foil Louis Dunne, but Karlan Ahearne-Grant and Konsa saw their efforts saved.
Few will shed any tears about being out of the competition, and Slade will be relieved to have got through the game without picking up any further injuries.
The manager will be pleased with Aribo’s contribution, and Teixeira’s performance was another positive.
Charlton: Phillips; Konsa, Teixeira, Johnson, Lennon, Chicksen; Foley (Ahearne-Grant 75), Crofts (Ulvestad 46), Aribo; Hanlan, Ajose (Novak 46).
Subs (not used): Rudd, Charles-Cook, Lapslie, Umerah.
Goal: Ajose 32.
Booked: Konsa 25 (foul).
Penalties: Hanlan (scored), Ulvestad (scored), Ahearne-Grant (saved), Teixeira (scored), Konsa (saved).
Colchester United: Barnes, Vincent-Young (Brindley 46), Kent, Eastman, Wynter, Kamara, Lapslie (Slater 60), Wright, Guthrie, Dickenson (Dunne 46), Bonne.
Subs (not used): Bransgrove, Prosser, Szmodics, Johnstone.
Goal: Bonne 42.
Booked: Bonne 68 (foul).
Penalties: Guthrie (scored), Bonne (scored), Dunne (saved), Wright (scored), Slater (scored).
Referee: John Brooks (Oxfordshire).
Attn: 548 (147 Charlton).