Charlton produced a performance that was in stark contrast to their last two. Quick, energetic with a real hunger to win the game.
The win propelled them up to fifth in the table, and all but ended Shrewsbury’s chances of automatic promotion. The Shropshire side are assured of a play-off spot, but that will be a disappointment to them after such a magnificent season.
Lee Bowyer was brave, and made six changes. Lewis Page, Mark Marshall, Ezri Konsa, Tariqe Fosu, Josh Magennis and Stephy Mavididi came in for Nicky Ajose, Ben Reeves, Jay Dasilva and Michal Zyro, who dropped to the bench. Joe Aribo had a shin injury, and Sullay Kaikai was rested.
The Addicks held their own from the off and Marshall, Konsa and Jason Pearce all had chances. Carlton Morris and Ben Godfrey went closest for the Shrews.
But the first-half ended goalless. Charlton had gone 270 minutes without scoring.
The visitors were the more dominant force after the break with skipper Pearce becoming an ever increasing threat from set pieces.
Pearce finally got the goal he so richly deserved sixteen minutes from time, when his powerful header from Jake Forster-Caskey’s free-kick on the left gave Dean Henderson no chance.
After that, Pearce went back to the day job and marshalled the defence superbly to quell any threat from the hosts.
Magennis put the gloss on the result eight minutes into stoppage time. Henderson rushed out of his area to clear, but sliced his effort horribly.
As it dropped, the Irishman reacted quickest, and hooked the ball goalwards. It bounced slowly into the net to send the travelling fans behind the goal delirious.
That was virtually the last kick of the game.
Lee Bowyer could not hide his delight at the end, and had this to say:
“We’re delighted and I think that we thoroughly deserved the win, the way we stuck together and fought, and every single challenge we went in for we went in to win.
“Our togetherness was great. I know what we can do in possession and I will never doubt how good we are on the ball.
“I know we can make something out of nothing with the individuals we have. What I have always said since I took over is that I demand that work-rate, togetherness and fight.
“If we didn’t fight tonight, Shrewsbury would have run over the top of us like they did at The Valley.
“That’s what I’ve drummed into the players; if you don’t fight then you won’t win games. We had a lot of young players out there tonight and, for me, they became men.
“They stood up and no-one has done this to Shrewsbury here. Shrewsbury aren’t pushing for the top two for nothing, so I am delighted.”
Bowyer faces another crunch game on Saturday, when his team travel to Portsmouth – who lost 3-1 at Bradford on Tuesday evening.
Charlton: Amos; Dijksteel, Bauer, Pearce, Page; Marshall (Reeves 75), Konsa, Forster-Caskey, Fosu (Dasilva 90); Mavididi (Lennon 90), Magennis.
Subs (not used): Phillips, Kashi, Ajose, Zyro.
Booked: Forster-Caskey 47 (foul), Konsa 55 (foul).
Goals: Pearce 74, Magennis 90.
Shrewsbury: Henderson; Bolton, Nsiala (John-Lewis 86), Sadler, Lowe; Rodman, Nolan, Godfrey, Whalley (Eisa 46); C Morris, Jones (B Morris 75).
Subs (not used): MacGillivary, Gnahoua, Hendrie, Payne.
Booked: Nsiala 47 (foul).
Referee: Darren Handley (Lancashire).
Attn: 5,838 (360 Charlton).