Charlton won the game in injury time thanks to Igor Vetokele’s stoppage time winner.
Manager, Lee Bowyer, had to witness most of the second half from the stands after being shown the red card.
The Addicks had to come from behind but were the dominant force in the second half, and once Naby Sarr had levelled things up, they always looked the more likely winners.
Team wise, Chris Solly, Mark Marshall and George Lapslie came in for Anfernee Dijksteel, Ben Reeves and Josh Parker, who was ill.
Bowyer played Lyle Taylor as a lone striker, ahead of a five man midfield.
Charlton looked disjointed in the first half and fell behind midway through the opening period. They failed to deal with a free-kick into the box, and the ball eventually fell to Michael Folivi who touched home from close range.
Lyle Taylor had a glorious chance to equalise just past the half-hour mark, but he smashed his shot into the ground, and the ball bounced over the bar.
If the first half was dull, the second started in explosive fashion.
Bowyer was booked for complaining over zealously for a free kick he thought his side should have got.
He appeared to say something to referee, Chris Kavanagh, who instantly showed him a second yellow, before brandishing the red.
Bowyer had this to say about the incident after the game:
“It was two yellow cards, the referee gave me a yellow because I complained about a foul that we should have got.
“Apparently, he said to Chris Solly, who got fouled that yes, it was a foul. So why not give it?
“So, he gave me that yellow and once he gave me that, I said ‘well done’ so he gave me another yellow and then a red but it’s not important. The most important thing is that we got three points.”
The incident seemed to inspire his team who restored parity four minutes after his dismissal.
Taylor was scythed down on the edge of the box, and Josh Cullen and Sarr stood over the ball, but it was the big central defender who curled the sweetest of shots into the far corner of the net.
After that, the Addicks dominated but could not quite convert any of the chances they created.
Just as it looked as though the visitors would have to settle for a point, Igor Vetokele snatched an injury time winner.
Wimbledon failed to clear the a ball played into their penalty area. It eventually fell for Vetokele who looped a header over the keeper and into the net.
Bowyer’s team deserved the three points, which brought their winless run to an end.
The manager was obviously delighted, and gave these thoughts after the game:
”First half, we just looked nervous, we didn’t move the ball like we normally do, because we are a good footballing side.
“I told them at half-time to be brave and to believe in each other. If you’re going to fail, do it the right way.
“And that’s what they did in the second half – they went out there and they did what they do in training every day.
“They moved the ball quickly, we had movement and we created a lot of chances, so it was always going to be tough, but we had to be patient, just like when we played them at home.
“It’s always going to be difficult, this is a tough place to come and Wimbledon are at the bottom and fighting for their lives.
“They’ve had two good results away from home recently and scored four on the road at Rochdale, which is a tough place to go, and I think their manager has turned them around.
“He’s got them fighting and they made it tough for us.
“We got there in the end and that’s the most important thing.”
It was a vital win for Charlton – their first at Kingsmeadow – and they will now travel to Doncaster in good spirits.
Charlton: Phillips; Solly (Dijksteel 85), Bauer, Sarr, Purrington; Cullen, Aribo, Lapslie (Vetokele 79), Williams, Marshall (Fosu 61); Taylor.
Subs (not used): Maxwell, Pearce, Pratley, Reeves.
Goals: Sarr 51, Vetokele 90.
Booked: Marshall 21 (foul), Sarr 52 (foul).
AFC Wimbledon: Ramsdale; Sibbick, Nightingale, Thomas, Seddon; Wagstaff, Hartigan (McLoughlin), Kalambayi, Wordsworth (Barcham 80); Pigott, Folivi (Hanson 71).
Subs (not used): McDonnell, Watson, Pinnock, Garratt.
Goal: Folivi 24.
Booked: Thomas 50 (foul), Sibbick 69 (foul).
Referee: Chris Kavanagh (Lancashire).
Attn: 4,532 (750 Charlton).
