Milton Keynes will add their name to the list of teams that feel they should have got something from a game against the Addicks.
Ben Hamer was called upon to make a couple of good saves, one in each half. The first, from Alan Smith at point blank range, was stunning.
Charlton had their moments too, a Hollands effort looped up and though David Martin’s feet were behind the line, the ball was adjudged not to have crossed the line.
The real drama came at the end of the first half. First, two minutes before the interval, Gary McKenzie – who had already been booked – received a straight red for holding Kermorgant in a strangle hold after the ball had been cleared. The offence also incurred a penalty, which was despatched to Martin’s right. Though the keeper got a hand to it, he could not stop Jackson’s kick going in.
Danny Green struck the bar from long range as the game entered stoppage time but there was still time for more drama.
Luke Chadwick tripped Johnnie Jackson as the Charlton skipper cut in to the box from the left. Referee, Keith Stroud, again pointed to the spot. This time Jackson thundered an unstoppable shot to Martin’s left.
The second half was something of a damp squib with Charlton never really making the most of thier numerical advantage.
Indeed, a few nerves were jangling towards the end when Dean Bowditch reduced the arrears three minutes from time.
Elsewhere, Stevenage’s win at Hillsborough and Sheffield United’s win at Huddersfield saw the Addicks strengthen their position in the automatic promotion slots.
Charlton: Hamer; Solly, Taylor, Morrison, Wiggins; Green, Stephens, Hollands, Jackson (Haynes 63); Wright-Phillips (Pritchard 90), Kermorgant.
Subs (not used): Sullivan, Cort, Clarke.
Goals: Jackson (pens) 43, 45.
Booked: Stephens 52 (foul)
MK Dons: Martin; Tavernier, MacKenzie, Williams, Lewington; Chadwick (Powell 76), Gleeson, Potter, Smith (O’Shea 83), Bowditch; MacDonald (Kouo-Doumbe 46).
Subs (not used): McLoughlin, Ibehre.
Goal: Bowditch 87.
Booked: MacKenzie 25 (foul), Smith 45 (foul).
Sent off: MacKenzie 42 (violent conduct).
Referee: Keith Stroud (Hampshire).
Att: 15,569.