Charlton’s return to The Valley after three away games on the spin was a disappointing one as the Addicks suffered a 1-0 defeat to MK Dons after a super display from Scott Fraser.
It was MK Dons who started the brighter of the two sides and the visitors could have been rewarded with an early lead when Cameron Jerome linked up with Scott Fraser. The Scot drove at the heart of the Addicks defence as the space opened up in front of him, before unleashing a strike from inside the box which was well saved by Ben Amos.
The Addicks defence was carved open again just moments later as Ben Gladwin found Jerome who ran through on goal. The striker then went down under pressure from Darren Pratley, but referee Andy Davies remained unmoved and later showed Dons manager Russell Martin a yellow card for his protests.
Recovering From A Rough Start
Charlton grew into the game, with Alex Gilbey finding Adam Matthews whose cross found Conor Washington at the back post, but by the time the Northern Irish international had taken a touch the chance was gone.
Minutes later, Gilbey was again involved against his former club when he intercepted a pass in the attacking third before firing his cross just a fraction in front of the onrushing Washington.
Just before half-time, Amos produced another big save to deny Fraser and ensure it remained goalless at the break.
Charlton manager Lee Bowyer replaced Andrew Shinnie with Marcus Maddison at half-time, reverting to a 4-3-3 formation with Maddison on the right and Washington on the left.
Amos was forced into action again ten minutes into the second-half when Carlton Morris beat Chris Gunter to get a shot away, with the resulting corner being headed over by Warren O’Hora.
Looking To The Bench
Bowyer rang the changes on the hour mark, replacing Saturday’s goal scorers Albie Morgan and Omar Bogle with Jonny Williams and Chuks Aneke in another shift in formation.
Six minutes later the Addicks boss made yet another, bringing on Akin Famewo for Ben Watson, with Pratley shifting forward into his preferred holding midfield role.
The Addicks’ change in formation almost paid dividends when Maddison’s superb ball found Washington who shot at goal, but Dons’ keeper Andrew Fisher was able to save at the near post .
Five minutes later, Pratley found space right on the edge of the box, but the 35-year-old was unable to work Fisher as he fired over.
Sucker-Punch From The Visitors
Despite the Addicks’ chances, it was the visitors who took the lead when the dangerous Fraser picked up the ball on the left inside the box before drilling his effort across Amos on 75 minutes after a smart piece of work in midfield by Lasse Sørensen.
Charlton almost had an immediate response when Maddison’s cross found Aneke, but the latter fired wide.
The best chance of the game for the hosts came in stoppage time after Fisher’s punch found Pratley who, with the goal at his mercy, fired his volley off the underside of the bar to sum up a frustrating night for Bowyer’s men.
