Charlton and Milton Keynes Dons fought out a tedious 0-0 draw at The Valley on Tuesday evening.
The game was almost devoid of excitement, but briefly flickered into life with the introduction of Ademola Lookman eight minutes from time. It then caught fire for all the wrong reasons in stoppage time.
Lookman caused panic in the Milton Keynes defence as soon as he came on, the visitors had no answer to the youngster’s pace and trickery.
Jordan Cousins, came closest for the Addicks. The skipper for the night curled a shot from the edge of the penalty area that went just wide of Dave Martin’s far post.
Samir Carruthers had the best chance of the
game in stoppage time. Clean through on goal, the midfielder blasted high and wide of Nick Pope’s goal from close range.
But bigger drama was to follow. As the Addicks were lining up for a free-kick, Sanogo swung an elbow at a Anthony Kay and was shown a straight red card.
Sanogo immediately regretted his actions and was distraught. He was in tears and had to be ushered down the tunnel by Zakaraya Bergdich. He will now be suspended for the next three games.
Jose Riga made two changes to the team that won at Brentford on Saturday, Diego Poyet came in for the injured Alou Diarra, and Simon Makienok started ahead of the ill-fated Sanogo.
Pope was called upon to push a Josh Murphy drive round the post in the second half, otherwise it was a comfortable night for both keepers.
Riga was serenaded with, “You don’t know what you’re doing’ when he took Callum Harriott off in the second half.
The head coach made some baffling decisions during the course of the game. Charlton ended up with three left-backs on the pitch, one – Yun Suk-Young – operating on the wide right of midfield, the position initially occupied by Harriott.
Johann Berg Gudmundsson operated in three different positions, withdrawn striker, right sided midfielder and central midfielder.
Neil Warnock inspired Rotherham to another win, the Millers defeated Middlesbrough at the New York Stadium.
The result leaves the Addicks six points adrift of the Yorkshire outfit, and seven behind MK Dons. The gulf looks too wide for Riga’s team to pull back now.
Charlton: Pope; Motta, Fanni, Teixeira, Fox; Harriott (Sanogo 58), Poyet (Bergdich 71), Cousins, Yun; Gudmundsson, Makienok (Lookman 82).
Subs (not used): Mitov, Johnson, Holmes-Dennis, Ghoochannejhad.
Sending off: Sanogo 90 (violent conduct) .
Milton Keynes Dons: Martin; Baldock, McFadzean, Kay, Lewington; Williams (Hall 54), Carruthers, Potter, Murphy; Bowditch (Reeves 61), Maynard (Revell 69).
Subs (not used): Cropper, Spence, Emmanuel-Thomas, Powell.
Booked: Bowditch 49 (foul ), McFadzean 89 (foul ), Carruthers 90 (foul).
Attn: 13,146 (532 MK Dons) .
Referee: Charles Breakspear (Surrey).