Charlton Athletic’s promotion push suffered a dent on Saturday as Lee Bowyer’s side slumped to a 1-0 defeat to Rochdale.
The South London club headed to Spotland stadium sat just three points off the play-off spots in a heavily congested League One table.
Ian Henderson’s goal in the opening stages for the hosts proved decisive as the Addicks were unable to respond.
The visitors’ biggest opportunity came from the penalty spot, although forward Lyle Taylor was unable to convert.
Frantic Start
The Dale came firing out the blocks as Henderson netted his 99th goal for the club in just the fourth minute. Stephen Dooley picked out the striker with a low-flighted crossed and the 33-year-old slotted home from 10-yards out.
Charlton came close to finding an equaliser just moments later as Taylor rattled his effort against the crossbar.
The Addicks were then handed another huge opportunity to draw level as Rochdale goalkeeper Brendan Moore clattered into Darren Pratley inside the penalty area. Referee Andy Haines awarded the spot kick, but Moore managed to redeem himself by denying Taylor from 12-yards.
Throughout the remainder of the first-half, Rochdale enjoyed a flurry of chances, with Jordan Williams and goal-scorer Henderson coming closest.
Moments from the close of the first period, Pratley was again felled inside the home side’s penalty area, but despite strong appeals, the referee this time dismissed the claims.
Penalised
Moore proved his worth for the clean sheet with several fine saves through the clash. The Dale’s goalkeeper finest stop came in the second half as he spectacularly denied West Ham United loanee Josh Cullen’s long-range effort.
Cullen later thought he handed the South Londoners a lifeline as his free-kick found the back of the net. However, the goal was ruled out with Taylor being penalised for an infringement during the set-piece.
Joe Aribo also came close in Charlton’s fruitless pursuit of an equaliser. The youngster’s left-footed effort was smothered behind for a corner by Rochdale’s defence.
The Addicks’ final opportunity fell in stoppage time, as Igor Vetokele saw his header fall agonisingly close.
‘Irrelevant’
Manager Lee Bowyer told the official Addicks site: “First half, we were very poor. We didn’t compete, we didn’t pass the ball and everything we’re good at we just didn’t do.
“We missed a penalty, we hit the bar, the keeper made a great save from Josh. We had all those things, but we still didn’t do the right things, so it’s all irrelevant.
“It was slightly better second half, but still not good enough – not for what we are and what we’re about.
“It’s disappointing, but we’ll go again, keep working at it and I’m sure we’ll get it right.”
Tricky
The South London club’s first defeat in three games sees them fall into the 13th place and five points behind the promotion spots, with a game in hand.
Bowyer’s men face a tricky challenge next Saturday as they host eight placed Doncaster Rovers at Τhe Valley.
Line-ups
Rochdale: Moore, Rafferty, Delaney, McGahey, Dooley, Camps, J Williams (Andrew 67), Rathbone (Perkins 67), Inman (Cannon 90+1), Hart, Henderson.
Subs (not used): Lillis, MJ Williams, Done, Clough.
Charlton: Steer, Dijksteel, Pratley, Pearce (c), Solly, Bielik (Reeves 46), Cullen, Aribo, Ward (Fosu 61), Taylor, Grant (Vetokele 76).
Subs (not used): Phillips, Sarr, Lapslie, Ajose, Vetokele.
