Charlton returned to winning ways at The Valley on Saturday thanks to an early Tariqe Fosu goal. It was the first time the team had won at The Valley since 9 September.
The game was a scrappy affair with the major talking point being an incident involving the referee as the second-half kicked-off.
Rob Lewis was knocked out after colliding with Josh Magennis. After a lengthy delay, Lewis was eventually replaced by fourth official, Craig Hicks.
Team wise, Chris Solly returned to the starting line-up, with Ezri Konsa switching to the middle of the defence, and Naby Sarr dropping to the bench.
The advanced midfield trio started with Billy Clarke on the right, Ricky Holmes in the middle and Fosu on the left.
Mark Marshall was omitted from the squad as a precaution. He has a slight niggle but could be fit for Tuesday’s game at Oxford.
The game got off to a stuttering start, and was disrupted by an early injury to James Coppinger. The midfielder had to be replaced by Rodney Kongolo after 7 minutes.
Two minutes later, the Addicks got what proved to be the winning goal. A neat move between Jay Dasilva and Holmes down the left, gave Fosu the opportunity to thump the ball past Ian Lawlor from 20 yards.
Lawlor will be unhappy about being beaten at his near post.
Charlton should have added a second just before the interval. Dasilva went on a lung bursting run and fed Holmes with an inch perfect pass.
The Player of the Year hit a fierce shot from just inside the area, when perhaps a placement would have been a better option.
Lawlor parried Holmes’ effort, but Fosu was first to the rebound and appeared to be felled by the keeper.
Referee Lewis waved the penalty appeals away, and after consulting with his assistant, he gave Fosu a yellow card for diving.
The referee’s erratic afternoon came to a premature end at the start of the second-half. He was floored after colliding with Magennis, and he had to be replaced by the fourth official.
Karl Robinson’s side went desperately close just past the hour mark following a scramble.
Clarke’s header was cleared off the line, Maggenis’ two follow up efforts were blocked, before Clarke fired over the bar.
Fosu, Clarke, Magennis and Kashi all had chances for the Addicks, while Rovers’ best chance fell to Tommy Rowe.
Robinson will be delighted with the win, but less so with the performance. His side’s passing was sloppy – especially in the first-half – and they again squandered many of their chances.
The manager will be looking for an improvement at Oxford on Tuesday.
Charlton: Amos; Solly, Konsa, Bauer, Dasilva (Sarr, 87); Kashi, Forster-Caskey, Clarke (Reeves 80), Holmes, Fosu; Magennis.
Subs (not used): Phillips, Jackson, Aribo, Ahearne-Grant, Dodoo.
Goal: Fosu 9.
Booked: Dasilva 24 (foul), Fosu 41 (diving), Clarke 68 (foul), Kashi 78 (foul ).
Doncaster: Lawlor; Mason, Wright, Butler, Toffolo (Blair 69);. Whiteman, Houghton, Coppinger (Kongolo 7), Rowe; Marquis, May (Mandeville 64)
Subs (not used): Marosi, Alcock, Blair, Garratt, Khemis
Booked: Houghton 30 (foul), Marquis 73 (foul), Butler 83 (dissent).
Referee: Rob Lewis (Shropshire)/Craig Hicks.
Attn: 10,917 (753 Doncaster).
TAGS: Charlton Athletic