Charlton Athletic 0-1 Peterborough United: Addicks edged out by late penalty after fiery encounter
Charlton slipped to an agonising late defeat after a fiery encounter with Peterborough United at The Valley.
Jason Cumming’s 90thminute penalty gave league-leaders Posh the slenderest of victories, a result harsh on the home side who had more than played their part in an entertaining game under the floodlights – but have only one win now from their opening four league games.
Once again the South Londoners conceded a goal late on – they’ve done so in every game so far this campaign.
On his first ever league start for the club, Albie Morgan saw an effort blocked from range, with Mark O’Hara snatching an effort wide at the other end as a corner fell into his path – the game frenetic from the off.
Led by the always indignant Steve Evans on the touchline, the visitors started to wrestle early control of the contest – tricky winger Siriki Dembele causing problems down the Addicks’ right-hand side. He sent a free-kick flying over the crossbar before teammate Ryan Tafazolli came a whisker away from opening the scoring.
The Posh defender looped a header goalward from a corner, only to see it rebound off the crossbar with Phillips beaten.
It was an ill-tempered affair at times, with Bowyer earning the dubious honour of the first ever Charlton manager to be shown a yellow card in the dugout midway through the first-period. A rule change in the summer meant officials can book managerial staff and the Addicks caretaker had his name taken after some words with the referee.
Charlton seemed to react to the fiery atmosphere and created a couple of openings of their own. Morgan fed Lyle Taylor, but the summer signing had a lot to do from a wide angle and saw his drive held by Aaron Chapman.
The former AFC Wimbledon man then snatched wide as a corner fell into his path, the scorers untroubled as we reached the interval.
Evans, furious about something, joined Bowyer in the referee’s notebook during half-time.
Posh’s joint top scorer Jason Cummings glanced a header beyond Phillips’ far-post, before Naby Sarr did well to avoid deflecting a cross into his own net – the ball flying just wide.
Evans was able to call on Ivan Toney and Marcus Maddison from his bench – a duo that plundered 21 League One goals between them last season – and his side almost edged ahead moments later.
Dembele burst through on goal but Phillips closed his angles well to preserve parity.
Charlton youngster Morgan made way for Nicky Ajose as Bowyer looked for a way to win the game. The Addicks started to have a spell of their own, with Taylor’s volley blocked near the line as he hacked a corner at goal.
Ajose then hit a set-piece into the wall as the South Londoners seemed most likely to break the deadlock – but it was to be the visitors edged ahead in the final minute of normal time.
Lewis Page was adjudged to have bundled Ivan Toney over as a cross came into the area, with Cummings making no mistake from the spot to extend the visitors’ winning run at the start of the league campaign to four games.