Rochdale 1-0 Charlton Athletic: Addicks reach play-offs despite defeat, as Rochdale secure League One safety

Charlton’s place in the League One play-offs was confirmed despite defeat at Rochdale on the final day.

The Addicks’ nearest rivals Plymouth were beaten at Gillingham, rendering Joseph Thompson’s second-half winner for the Dale irrelevant in the South Londoners’ chase for a top six finish.

Keith Hill’s side were themselves saved from relegation as their win, coupled with Oldham’s draw at Northampton, saw them climb out of the bottom four in dramatic fashion.

The hosts nearly grabbed a vital lead early on. Callum Camps fired a set-piece straight at Ben Amos from the edge of the area. The Addicks keeper, who completed an ever-present season this afternoon, spilt the ball but Dale captain Ian Henderson somehow hit the upright from yards out.

Joe Aribo, back in the starting line-up, had Charlton’s first real effort – testing Josh Lillis from outside the area. Amos was soon back in action at the other end, saving smartly as Ryan Delaney directed a header at goal from a corner.

Calvin Andrew had to head the ball clear from under his own crossbar as Patrick Bauer sent a Jake Forster-Caskey set-piece back across goal, before the latter was just off-target with a deflected effort from range.

The Addicks midfielder also curled a 22-yard free-kick just wide but it mattered not as the South Londoners reached the interval knowing the top-six rivals Plymouth were 3-1 down at Gillingham at the break.

With Oldham equalising at Northampton as we were midway through the second-half, the home side knew they’d need to find a winner in order to avoid relegation to League Two. Camps forced Amos into a diving save with a low drive from outside the area – but they had that crucial lead with just over twenty minutes left.

Substitute Thompson drilled home from the edge of the area through a mass of bodies to give the home crowd hope of a dramatic final-day rescue.

Retiring Addicks skipper Johnnie Jackson was introduced as a late substitute as he racked up his 499^thcareer appearance, but the Addicks were unable to secure a late equaliser – but their place in the play-offs was sealed nonetheless, as was Dale’s place in League One.