Addicks right some of the wrongs from Ipswich hammering as Payne gains them 1-0 win at Milton Keynes

BY LOUIS MENDEZ

Dean Holden hoped that Tuesday evening’s 1-0 win at MK “puts to bed” last weekend’s 6-0 drubbing at Ipswich Town. Jack Payne’s thumping second-half finish was certainly the pick-me-up the attacking midfielder needed this season. It lit up the tepid atmosphere in the soulless bowl that Milton Keynes call home as his strike roared beyond Jamie Cumming.

Holden wanted a reaction from his side after being demolished by the Tractor Boys.

The first-half display suggested he wasn’t going to get a massive one.

The South Londoners enjoyed more of the ball but were languid in their approach play, struggling to carve too many real openings. Scott Fraser blew the best chance as he lifted over from close range.

Payne also fizzed a half-volley over the frame of the goal from the edge of the area in what was an uneventful opening 45 minutes.

At the other end, former Addicks loanee Jonathan Leko came close to forging a priceless lead for an MK side who still have one eye looking over their shoulder at the relegation zone.

His drive was touched on to the post by Ashely Maynard-Brewer.

Mark Jackson’s side were the better of the two briefly after the restart. Mo Eisa, who was permitted to pause play for two minutes to break his Ramadan fast in the first-period, was also hungry for goals and he hit a well-struck volley that was repelled by Charlton’s stopper.

Charlton started to assert pressure on their hosts just before the hour-mark and broke the deadlock bang on it. Steven Sessegnon had stung the palms of Cumming from range, but it was the MK stopper who was fishing the ball out of his net moments later.

Jes Rak-Sakyi teased the ball into Payne’s path – and what followed wasn’t really in keeping with the finishing on display all evening.

Payne’s strike was his first in league football since October and marked his return from suspension in style. The former Swindon man admitted afterwards that he had endured a disappointing campaign.

The second half in Buckinghamshire went some of the way to repairing the damage done at Portman Road. But, like the season as a whole, the damage that has already been done can’t be fixed fully. It’s mid-table again for the Addicks, either way.

STAR MAN
Michael Hector. Milton Keynes didn’t offer much but he dealt with what he had to. Nobody made more clearances and tackles combined.

BEST MOMENT
Payne’s emphatic finish beyond Jamie Cumming – a venomous left-footed strike to break the deadlock.

PICTURES: KYLE ANDREWS