Charlton progressed to the Second Round of the FA Cup, after beating Scunthorpe 3-1 at The Valley on Saturday afternoon.
Two goals from substitute, Ademola Lookman, sandwiched Johnnie Jackson’s strike for the Addicks. Iron substitute, Tom Hopper, pulled the score back to 2-1 early in the second half, before the second of Lookman’s strikes made the game safe for Charlton.
Russell Slade made three changes to the team that started against Chesterfield a week ago; Kevin Foley, Ezri Konsa and Jackson coming in for Chris Solly, Jason Pearce and Lookman.
Both sides had early chances, but Lookman’s introduction just before the half-hour mark, changed the game.
The youngster came on when Ricky Holmes hobbled off, and it only took him seven minutes to make his mark.
A long ball in from the left was cleared by the Scunthorpe defence, but fell conveniently for Lookman. He let fly and scored with an absolute stunner from 20 yards.
Six minutes later, Jackson doubled the hosts’ advantage, when he fired a shot through a crowded penalty area, across Luke Daniels, and into the far corner.
Graham Alexander made an instant response, replacing Paddy Madden with the more muscular Hopper.
Two minutes before the break, Josh Magennis nearly added a third. The Irishman’s bullet header from a Morgan Fox cross was tipped over by Daniels.
The Iron started the second period with all guns blazing.
It took a stunning save from Declan Rudd to foil Hopper two minutes after the restart, but the respite was short lived. After 52 minutes Hopper nodded in a left-wing corner to halve the arrears.
Two minutes later, the visitors came desperately close to restoring parity. Duane Holmes hit the post, and Kevin van Veen was first to the rebound. Rudd saved the striker’s shot with his legs.
The Addicks fans’ nerves were jangling, but their side gradually regained a foothold in the game and Lookman, Nicky Ajose, Josh Magennis and Jackson all had chances.
Slade’s side ensured their place in the next round seven minutes from time. Andrew Crofts won the ball in midfield and released Frederik Ulvestad.
The Norwegian midfielder played Lookman in, and he notched his second goal of the afternoon, despite Daniels getting a hand to his shot.
There was still time for Lee Novak to lob the keeper, but his effort comfortably cleared the bar.
Charlton are building momentum now, they have won three and drawn two of their last five games in all competitions. The manager will be confident that his depleted team can continue the run at Swindon next week.
Charlton: Rudd; Foley, Bauer, Konsa, Fox; Holmes (Lookman 27), Crofts, Ulvestad, Jackson (Botaka 89); Magennis, Ajose (Novak 73).
Subs (not used): Phillips, Lennon, Teixeira, Chicksen.
Goals: Lookman 34, 83 Jackson 40.
Booked: Bauer 12 (foul).
ScunthorpeUnited: Daniels, Wiseman, Goode, Wallace, Townsend; Holmes (Williams 67), Smallwood (Mantom 77), Dawson, Morris; Madden (Hopper 42), Van Veen.
Subs (not used): Anyon, Mirfin, Adelakun, Clarke.
Goal: Hopper 52.
Booked: van Veen 72 (foul), Townsend 80 (handball), Williams 90 (foul).
Referee: Christopher Sarginson (Manchester).
Attendance: 4,123 (682 from Scunthorpe).