Four takeaways from Charlton’s FA Cup win at Gateshead: A fright on the Tyne

Charlton survived several scares to beat non-leaguers Gateshead 2-0 and earn a place in the third round of the FA Cup.

Here are Louis Mendez’s four takeaways from an uncomfortable evening at the Gateshead International Stadium.

FRIGHT ON THE TYNE

That was anything but straightforward. Sixty-one places separated the Addicks from their non-league hosts in the pyramid but Charlton’s clinical edge in front of goal was the difference between the two sides over the 90 minutes. Gateshead spurned at least four clear-cut openings and could easily have forced a replay at worst on another night. But Charlton did make the most of their opportunities when they came along to forge a somewhat uncomfortable passage into round three.

TAKING CUPS SERIOUSLY

Johnnie Jackson named close to the strongest side available to him for the trip to the International Stadium, which was pretty refreshing and probably necessary. Anything less and Charlton could easily have come unstuck. It’s not unusual to see managers make wholesale changes when drawn against non-league sides but you run the risk of forfeiting any advantage you have in terms of quality by throwing too many youngsters into the fray – we’ve seen it plenty of times over the years. Now Jackson has his reward – a place in the third round and the chance to draw one of the big clubs. The Addicks caretaker admitted he would love to face boyhood side Arsenal away from home but insisted he’ll continue to take the competition seriously whoever comes out of the hat on Monday evening.

STOCKLEY IN DEBT TO COLLEAGUES

Jayden Stockley can’t have scored two easier goals in his career and owes both to the industrious work of his team-mates. The Addicks forward has been a massive miss during his three games out suspended and made sure he was in the right place to pounce when chances arose  – but Conor Washington should get all the praise for his work leading up to the opener. He presented the chance on a plate for Stockley and hammered home how well the pair link up when playing in a front-two – something that was sadly missed by Nigel Adkins. As far as the second goal goes, Ben Purrington must have felt robbed as his volley took the slightest of brushes off Stockley on the way in. The left-sided defender has come into a life of his own since playing as wing-back under Jackson and could legitimately hope to reach double figures for goals this season at this rate.

HEED-ING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

Mike Williamson is on to a good thing with the Heed. Gateshead sit fifth in the National League North but could go top if they win their three games in hand and have an enviable 100 per cent home record in league games this season. They try to play football the right way and will create plenty of chances as they look to fight their way back into the National League. The start of a recovery for a club who, just like Charlton, have had more than their fair share of ownership problems in recent years.

PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS