Make no mistake, this was a proper cup-tie, plenty of atmosphere, big crowd, played at a high tempo and plenty of thrills and spills.
The prospect of a quarter-final shoot-out with bitter rivals, Sheffield United, attracted nearly 25,000 fans to Hillsborough.
The game that, ultimately, was never to be, received plenty of hype in the build up to Monday’s game. Charlton barely got a mention, it seemed beating the Addicks was a formality for the Owls.
That theme carried on at the ground prior to kick-off, with the PA announcer giving details of how youngsters could leadWednesday out at Wembley.
Perhaps the sense of expectation filtered through to the players, Wednesday were on the back foot for almost all of the first 25 minutes.
Ben Hamer returned and made some outstanding saves late on, the one that he pushed round the post in stoppage time was truly breath taking. Morgan Fox came in for his senior debut in place of Rhoys Wiggins at left-back and looked composed and assured.
The Owls started with a 4-4-2 formation, with Chris Powell opting for a 4-4-1-1 shape, Ajdarevic playing just behind Simon Church.
Charlton’s enterprising start was rewarded midway through the half when a goal, crafted in the fabled Addicks academy, gave them the lead.
Diego Poyet and Jordan Cousins combined down the right to produce a chance for Callum Harriott. The winger’s swerving shot went into the right-hand corner of Damian Martinez’s goal.
As the half came towards its end, the hosts got more into the game, though Miguel Llera appeared to haul Simon Church down as he bore down on goal. Had Mark Clattenburg seen it as a foul, Llera would surely have been given his marching orders, but the referee waved play on. The Addicks managed to go into the break with their lead intact though.
Wednesday were much brighter at the start of the second period and levelled after 57 minutes. A long free-kick into the area was nodded down by Miguel Llera for Leon Best to rifle home from close range.
The goal galvanised the Addicks into action and they wrested the initiative back from their opponents.
Eight minutes after the equaliser, Llera picked up a booking for bringing down Church on the right. The resultant free-kick was swung in by Johnnie Jackson and glanced in by Church to restore Charlton’s lead.
From here on in Hamer had to earn his corn, with the stoppage time save the pick of the bunch.
The five added minutes seemed like hours but the Addicks saw the game out to book their quarter-final spot and a return to Sheffield.
The final whistle heralded delirium, both on the pitch and in the stands. Just Sheffield United now stand between Charlton and their first semi-final since 1947.
Powell will banish all thoughts of cup glory for now, a trip to the King Power to meet Leicester on Saturday will be at the forefront of his mind.
Charlton: Hamer; Wilson, Morrison, Wood (Dervite 90), Fox; Cousins, Poyet, Jackson, Harriott; Ajdarević (Hughes 93); Church (Ghoochannejhad 85).
Subs (not used): Thuram-Ulien, Nego, Green, Sordell.
Goals: Harriott 22, Church 65.
Booked: Wood 88 (foul).
Sheffield Wednesday: Martinez; Palmer, Loovens,Llera, Mattock; Maghoma (Lavery 58), Coke, Maguire, Gardner (Nuhiu 58); Afobe (Helan 74), Best.
Subs (not used): Kirkland, Hutchinson, Buxton, Onyewu.
Goal: Best 57.
Booked: Mattock 77 (foul), Loovens 67 (foul), Llera 64 (foul), Best 62 (dissent).
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (County Durham).
Attn: 24,607.