Charlton won their fourth consecutive match at The Valley with a comfortable 2-0 win over Port Vale after a another dramatic week in SE7.
After his freak own goal at Swindon last week, it was good to see Morgan Fox bounce back with two assists.
Caretaker boss, Kevin Nugent, was pleased to have Josh Magennis available after picking up a hamstring strain while on international duty. But Chris Solly was ruled out through injury.
Ademola Lookman returned to the starting line-up and Jordan Botaka was on the bench.
The Addicks had an early scare when Declan Rudd and Jason Pearce played themselves into trouble and lost the ball.
But Charlton soon started to put some decent moves together. Fox, Johnnie Jackson and Nicky Ajose carved out a chance for Lookman.
Jak Alnwick turned the winger’s fierce shot round the post for a corner. Jackson swung it in from the right, and Jason Pearce’s header came back off the bar.
Ajose went close after 26 minutes, but four minutes later the Addicks were in front. A deep cross by Fox was met by Magennis, who headed it back across goal and into the far corner of the net.
Just before the break Vale started to put Charlton under pressure, but the Addicks broke clear, Fox released Ajose, and the diminutive striker cooly slid the ball under Alnwick to double the lead.
The Valiants had much more of the play in the second period, without ever causing Rudd too many problems.
Charlton did get the ball in the net again after 84 minutes, but Ajose was clearly offside.
Martin Paterson and Paulo Tavares had late chances, but Nugent’s side saw the game out unscathed.
The clean sheet was a welcome bonus -as was both strikers scoring – and the team will head for Bristol on Tuesday in good spirits.
Charlton: Rudd; Foley, Bauer, Pearce, Fox; Lookman (Konsa 90), Crofts, Ulvestad, Jackson (Botaka 62); Magennis (Hanlan 75), Ajose.
Subs (not used): Phillips, Lennon, Teixeira, Novak.
Goals: Magennis 30, Ajose 44.
Booked: Ulvestad 38 (foul), Lookman 55 (kicking ball away).
Port Vale: Alnwick; Taylor, Streete, Smith, Knops; Kelly (Forester 77), Tavares, Amoros (Paterson 46), De Freitas, Thomas (Pereira 63); Jones.
Subs (not used): Santos, MacIntosh, Kiko, Cicillia.
Referee: Richard Clark (Northumberland).
Attn: 8,992 (423 Port Vale).
TAGS: Charlton Athletic