Kevin Nolan’s big-match verdict on MK 0 Charlton 1 – Addicks get their revenge as heroic defending seals gritty away success

BY KEVIN NOLAN

Back in early December, unfancied Milton Keynes made the short trip from Buckinghamshire’s boondocks to help Charlton celebrate a special occasion at The Valley. Somewhat ungraciously, they ignored their obvious billing as willing makeweights but instead cruised elegantly to victory in front of 2,000 grudgingly impressed home fans.

The 1-0 scoreline made a mockery of their effortless superiority but has since been exposed as a flash in the pan. Russell Martin’s side have failed to live up to that promise and currently languish in the lower half of League One.

Outclassed on that bubble-bursting evening, Charlton have since been a model of inconsistency. Their recent performances, at least those at home, have been chaotic. Wildly entertaining, of course, but hardly those of a valid promotion contender.

On the road, their form has been patchy and undermined by their old habit of conceding late goals.

Their last excursion featured a 60-minute mini-masterclass – negative but necessary – which stifled prolific Peterborough United until a familiar descent into defensive buffoonery undid their good work. A few minutes of Keystone Kops slapstick not only blew a narrow lead but handed Posh all three points. So it says something about the general mediocrity of the division that the Addicks showed up at MK still clinging to the coattails of the promotion pacesetters and, unfeasibly, in contention for the play-offs.

The second meeting of these erratic sides took place on another chilly evening at Stadium MK. It again produced a 1-0 scoreline but this time the Addicks were on its business end. They say revenge is best served cold and it certainly looked cold up in the home counties on Tuesday. A well-taken goal from Liam Millar – his first for his new club – settled the issue early in the first half. The visitors spent most of the second period defending stubbornly as the home side pushed them back without, it should be said, breaking either their spirit or their resistance.

At The Valley, playmaker Scott Fraser orchestrated his side’s skilful approach play and popped up with the winning goal at a time when a goalless draw was becoming the extent of Charlton’s ambition. On his own patch (and it really was a bobbly allotment patch), he was kept close company by old soldier Darren Pratley.

Wherever and whenever he turned, Pratley stayed by his side, nagging, hassling and, er, occasionally fouling him until he surrendered possession. It was a masterclass of man-marking and contributed hugely to Charlton’s success. Still the healthy side of 36, Pratley shows few signs of bowing to the inevitability of retirement.

A mere stripling at 27, Deji Oshilaja was no less important in Charlton’s sturdy resistance. His job description clearly defines him as a defender and this uncompromising pro adheres faithfully to that billing. Not the tallest of centre-halves, he is rarely beaten in the air, tackles and covers diligently and, like Pratley, has a streak of ruthlessness in his repertoire. When the situation calls for an elementary clearing of his lines, he can be relied upon to do exactly that. Neither Cameron Jerome nor last week’s hat-trick hero Joe Mason made any impression on his iron resolve.

Given stout support by full backs Adam Matthews and Ben Purrington, not to mention his central partner Chris Gunter, Oshilaja marshalled the visitors’ bloody-minded defiance on their way to this potentially pivotal victory.

Ben Amos was hardly overworked but contributed a key save at Ethan Laird’s feet and deserved the luck he had when Warren O’Hora glanced Matt O’Riley’s inswinging corner off the far post. For all Dons’ drip-drip pressure, they accomplished little and received a salutary lesson in finishing from Millar early in the opening exchanges.

Coming deep to lose his marker, Jayden Stockley volleyed a clever pass to Conor Washington, who was making up ground on the right. The Northern Ireland international moved into space before firing a waist-high cross intended for either Stockley or Millar. Though tempted to intervene, Stockley resisted temptation and allowed the ball to reach Millar. Taking a touch to set up his shot, the Liverpool loanee finished emphatically past Dons’ desperately advancing keeper Lee Nicholls. It was a goal which stood out in this progressively dour duel.

In weighing the pros and cons of victory, a “delighted” Lee Bowyer will relish the contributions of his new strike force, each of whom had a hand (or foot) in the winning goal. Millar was a persistent livewire, Stockley a resourceful target man. Washington’s enforced replacement by Ronnie Schwartz presents him with a new injury worry but the Dane is a ready alternative. His delightful pass sent Millar in search of a second goal but Nicholls was quick enough off his line to snuff out the danger.

The last half hour, during which the Addicks were driven steadily backwards, will concern Bowyer.

Martin’s men had easily the better of things and a late equaliser was far from out of the question. As the pressure mounted, possession was loosely guarded and the ball given away with alarming regularity. The defending which saw Charlton over the finish line was heroic at times but a more potent side than MK might have made them pay.

But anyway. that’s a topic for another day. Tuesday evening was all about winning. There’s nothing to beat it…

STAR MAN
Darren Pratley. The 35-year-old’s work-rate and midfield energy eclipsed MK schemer Scott Fraser and keynoted Charlton’s hard grafting performance. Age is just a number where this indefatigable veteran is concerned.

BEST MOMENT
Millar’s control to master Washington’s hard cross was capped by the blistering finish which earned Charlton a vital win.

MAIN PICTURE: PA
OTHER PICS: PA/KYLE ANDREWS