Talking points from Charlton’s 2-1 win at Mansfield – McIntyre slots smoothly in, play-off place looks sealed and Valley set to be pumped up

Matty Godden and Tyreece Campbell scored for promotion-hunting Charlton Athletic as they won 2-1 at Mansfield Town on Tuesday night.

Here are Richard Cawley’s talking points from the match.

PLAY-OFFS IN THE BAG

You won’t get Nathan Jones saying it. You definitely won’t get any of his Addicks players saying it. But I’m saying it – the top six is in the bag.

Charlton’s form since December 21 has been pretty sensational. They have won 15 and drawn three of the last 21 League One matches – averaging 2.28 points per game.

It’s that kind of form that doesn’t make it seem outlandish to think that second place is still attainable.

Wrexham and Wycombe drew in midweek and the Addicks still head to both later this month – with the gap to the former standing at six points.

STAG PARTY

Charlton’s win at Mansfield saw their top two attackers – Godden and Campbell – come up with the goods.

The first was an absolute gift.

Louis Reed inexplicably passed the ball to Godden on the edge of the penalty area and the striker showed no shock at such an unexpected outcome, slipping the ball past helpless keeper Christy Pym.

Mansfield finished the half strongly and were rewarded when Matthew Craig’s powerful half-volley drew the Stags level.

Both sides struggled to create after the restart but Campbell produced a clinical low finish inside Pym’s left-hand post after Godden and substitute Chuks Aneke linked up to work a chance in the 74th minute.

Campbell still had plenty to do, but made it look easy as he shifted the ball away from marker Stephen McLaughlin.

The 21-year-old South Londoner has scored eight goals this season – his best return in the professional ranks and double the tally he managed in the previous campaign.

Charlton have won every match this season when Campbell has scored.

He has got to be one of the first names on the teamsheet for Addicks boss Jones and it has to be hoped his late withdrawal after treatment was just a precaution.

TASTY BIC MAC

Tom McIntyre was handed his first start since arriving on loan from Portsmouth during the winter transfer window – with Lloyd Jones not risked due to a tight calf.

He slotted in with no fuss and ensured that the vice-captain’s absence was not felt.

Jones likes his defenders to step out and engage – to be proactive – and McIntyre did that on more than one occasion.

He made the most clearances (16) in the match – six more than Macaulay Gillesphey and ex-Addick Deji Oshilaja.

THE VALLEY IS GOING TO BE BAANNCING

To quote Lee Bowyer, the last Charlton manager to win promotion from League One, the home game against Lincoln City tomorrow should have a brilliant atmosphere.

Too often in recent seasons there has been an air of apathy for the run-ins and the sparsely-populated stadium has reflected that. It’s been a soul-draining experience.

But there was an announced crowd of 16,491 for the 2-1 win over Wigan Athletic on March 15 and 17,278 for the 4-0 thumping of Huddersfield last Saturday.

The results, performances and a genuine shot at promotion have started to draw Charlton Athletic supporters back.

PICTURES: KYLE ANDREWS