Oldham is probably the most awkward journey I have to make during the course of the season, due to the ongoing closure of the stations closest to the ground.

I have to change trains at Leicester and Sheffield before catching a bus from Manchester Piccadilly to the ground. I was lucky enough to enjoy the company of Charlton’s official scribe, Gary Haines, on the last leg of the journey.

Boundary Park is not overly blessed with places to eat, the choice is a walk to a nearby McDonald’s, the burger vans around the ground or the catering facility inside the ground. The latter is one of the highlights of the season for me. The locally made Clayton Park pies are the best in the land and reasonably priced at £2.50. Near neighbours, Rochdale, also sell them.

The overnight news that Danny Green had not travelled due to illness, was confirmed when the team coach arrived. In terms of team news Johnnie Jackson  returned to take the infirmed Green’s place on the bench. Though Danny Haynes travelled, he wasn’t involved in the squad.

More surprisingly, Dany N’Guessan came in for Wright-Phillips, with Powell possibly being influenced by the heavy pitch and Oldham’s attritional style.

The week’s snow took its toll on the pitch which cut up badly. The referee, Trevor Kettle, had a profound effect on the match, dishing out 11 yellow and 3 red cards. Charlton lost Danny Holland’s to a wild challenge in front of the dug outs on the half hour mark, but numerical parity was restored before the break when Jean Yves M’Voto picked up a second booking for a foul on Kermorgant.

Scott Wagstaff was also booked for a second time 14 minutes from the end though it did seem very harsh. He won the ball but he appeared to slip on the difficult surface. After that, it was like the Alamo as Oldham attacked the Charlton area with an aerial bombardment.

The Addicks brought Matt Taylor on for Lee Cook – who was switched to central midfield following Holland’s dismissal – and went with three at the back. Solly and Wiggins operated as wing-backs with Kermorgant bravely ploughing a lone furrow up front.

The winning goal came from the game’s one real moment of quality. N’Guessan – switched to the left following Holland’s dismissal – played the ball inside the full-back for Rhoys Wiggins to deliver a peach of a cross to the far post.

Gallic warrior, Yann Kermorgant was on the spot to bullet his header home. Other than that, the game was, shall we say, played in a very direct style.

On a day when both Sheffield clubs won, Kermorgant’s strike was priceless.

Powell will now have to assess his side’s physical state before picking his side to face Walsall on Monday.

Hollands will miss the next three games for his straight red, while Wagstaff will be banned from the Walsall match. Hopefully, Green will recover over the weekend.

Charlton: Hamer; Solly,  Cort, Morrison, Wiggins; Wagstaff, Stephens,  Hollands,  Cook (Taylor 78); N’Guessan (Pritchard 71), Kermorgant. Subs (not used): Sullivan, Jackson, Wright-Phillips.

Goal: Kermorgant 49.

Booked: Stephens 18 (foul), Wagstaff 19 (foul), Kermorgant 63 (foul), Hamer 90 (time-wasting), Morrison 90 (foul). Sent off: Hollands 30 (foul), Wagstaff 76 (foul,second booking).

Oldham: Bouzanis; Lee,  Brown, M’Voto, Diallo (Tounkara 78); Morais (Hughes 84), Adeyemi, Furman, Simpson; Bunn (Tarkowski 42), Kuqi. Subs (not used): Gerrard, M’Changama.

Booked: M’Voto 14 (foul), Diallo 21 (foul), Kuqi 46 (dissent), Simpson 88 (foul).

Sent off: M’Voto 42 (foul/second booking).

Ref: Trevor Kettle (Rutland).

Attn: 3,641 (603 Charlton).