Albion's development squad dented Charlton’s title hopes whilst keeping their own slim play-off chances alive with a 3-2 win at Culver Road.
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George Barker gave Luke Williams’ side the lead when he scored from the rebound of his saved penalty, before Ade Azeez levelled for the Addicks.
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But a second penalty was coolly converted by Jake Forster-Caskey before a late strike from Brennan Dickenson confirmed the points were staying on the south coast, despite an injury-time penalty from Joe Pigott.
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The Addicks, who are coached by former Seagull Nathan Jones, came into the game three points behind league leaders Cardiff City with two games left to play.
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But the Bluebirds have completed their league campaign and have a significantly weaker goal difference, so Jones’ men knew victory would all but seal the league title.
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However, Albion could mathematically remain in the play-off hunt with a win of their own.
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It was Jones’ side who started brightly and almost went ahead after just four minutes as Bradley Jordan’s free-kick was headed just wide by Azeez before Jordan himself had his stab towards goal hacked off the line by Marcos Painter.
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There was a quick and intense pace about the early stages but as the first half progressed Albion assumed more control of the ball, and were given an opportunity to take the lead on 25 minutes.
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Barker was tripped inside the Addicks' box and the forward dusted himself down to take the resulting penalty. The striker chose to go bottom left but Charlton keeper Nick Pope guessed correctly to deny the development squad’s top scorer, however he couldn’t prevent Barker from finishing the rebound.
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Charlton came straight back into the game and pulled themselves level when Pigott’s low cross from the right was poked home by Azeez - atoning for his earlier miss.
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Pigott then came close to turning the game completely on his head and adding his own name onto the scoresheet, but at full stretch he could only guide another Jordan delivery over.
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Controversy loomed though as on the stroke of half time when referee Ian Bentley - after considerable deliberation with his linesman - awarded a second spot-kick in Albion’s favour; this time for handball.
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Barker stepped aside this time and Forster-Caskey took charge of* penalty duties, duly chipping a confident penalty down the middle of the goal to give the Seagulls the lead at the break.
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The Addicks came out with purpose following the interval and Harry Lennon cannoned a header off the underside of the bar, which bounced out to safety.
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Gus Poyet’s son, Diego, came on for the visitors as Jones’ Charlton searched for a route back into a game they desperately did not want to lose.
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But Dickenson’s excellent late half-volley, from the edge of area, lashed into the bottom corner seemingly settled the match.
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But there was a third penalty awarded in injury time, this time in Charlton’s favour after Pigott tumbled in the area. He then dispatched home from 12 yards.
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Charlton launched the ball forward in search of an equaliser but it was too late and only a win over Millwall in their final fixture will see them crowned champions, while Albion take their play-off hopes to the final day.Albion: (4-3-3) Smith (GK); Hunt, Jones (Ince 55), Dunk, Painter; Forster-Caskey, Dicker, Oatway; March, Agdestein, Barker (Dickenson 60). Subs not used: Richards, Battipiedi, Goodwin.
Original article
*
George Barker gave Luke Williams’ side the lead when he scored from the rebound of his saved penalty, before Ade Azeez levelled for the Addicks.
*
But a second penalty was coolly converted by Jake Forster-Caskey before a late strike from Brennan Dickenson confirmed the points were staying on the south coast, despite an injury-time penalty from Joe Pigott.
*
The Addicks, who are coached by former Seagull Nathan Jones, came into the game three points behind league leaders Cardiff City with two games left to play.
*
But the Bluebirds have completed their league campaign and have a significantly weaker goal difference, so Jones’ men knew victory would all but seal the league title.
*
However, Albion could mathematically remain in the play-off hunt with a win of their own.
*
It was Jones’ side who started brightly and almost went ahead after just four minutes as Bradley Jordan’s free-kick was headed just wide by Azeez before Jordan himself had his stab towards goal hacked off the line by Marcos Painter.
*
There was a quick and intense pace about the early stages but as the first half progressed Albion assumed more control of the ball, and were given an opportunity to take the lead on 25 minutes.
*
Barker was tripped inside the Addicks' box and the forward dusted himself down to take the resulting penalty. The striker chose to go bottom left but Charlton keeper Nick Pope guessed correctly to deny the development squad’s top scorer, however he couldn’t prevent Barker from finishing the rebound.
*
Charlton came straight back into the game and pulled themselves level when Pigott’s low cross from the right was poked home by Azeez - atoning for his earlier miss.
*
Pigott then came close to turning the game completely on his head and adding his own name onto the scoresheet, but at full stretch he could only guide another Jordan delivery over.
*
Controversy loomed though as on the stroke of half time when referee Ian Bentley - after considerable deliberation with his linesman - awarded a second spot-kick in Albion’s favour; this time for handball.
*
Barker stepped aside this time and Forster-Caskey took charge of* penalty duties, duly chipping a confident penalty down the middle of the goal to give the Seagulls the lead at the break.
*
The Addicks came out with purpose following the interval and Harry Lennon cannoned a header off the underside of the bar, which bounced out to safety.
*
Gus Poyet’s son, Diego, came on for the visitors as Jones’ Charlton searched for a route back into a game they desperately did not want to lose.
*
But Dickenson’s excellent late half-volley, from the edge of area, lashed into the bottom corner seemingly settled the match.
*
But there was a third penalty awarded in injury time, this time in Charlton’s favour after Pigott tumbled in the area. He then dispatched home from 12 yards.
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Charlton launched the ball forward in search of an equaliser but it was too late and only a win over Millwall in their final fixture will see them crowned champions, while Albion take their play-off hopes to the final day.Albion: (4-3-3) Smith (GK); Hunt, Jones (Ince 55), Dunk, Painter; Forster-Caskey, Dicker, Oatway; March, Agdestein, Barker (Dickenson 60). Subs not used: Richards, Battipiedi, Goodwin.
Original article