The lowdown on Leyton Orient 1 Charlton Athletic 2 – Added-time Addicks seal enormous victory in race for top six

Charlton stunned top six rivals Leyton Orient with two goals in stoppage time to claim a hugely significant three points in the League One play-off battle.

Here is the lowdown on the match.

THE LINE-UPS

Leyton Orient: Keeley, Sweeney, Cooper, Galbraith, Edmonds-Green, Brown, Donley (Clare 86), Pratley, Perkins (Agyei 77), Markanday (Abdulai 82), Kelman. Subs not used: Phillips, Williams, Ball, Jaiyesimi.

Charlton Athletic: Mannion, Ramsay, Gillesphey, Jones, Edwards (Docherty 68), Coventry (Aneke 77), Campbell, Berry (Gilbert 67), Anderson (Leaburn 68), Small, Godden. Subs not used: Reid, McIntyre, Watson.

SNAPSHOT OF THE GAME

It looked like the Addicks were going to rue a handful of missed opportunities in the first half when Jordan Brown rifled the O’s ahead shortly after the interval with an unstoppable volley from distance.

But the visitors never stopped and were level in added-time as Macaulay Gillesphey nodded Alex Gilbert’s corner home. And they weren’t done there – with Kayne Ramsay scoring a carbon copy of Gillesphey’s strike right at the end to spark jubilation from all associated with the South Londoners.

Charlton leapfrogged their hosts into the top six – a significant blow in the scrap for a top-six finish.

TACTICAL APPROACH

The big question before kick-off was whether captain Greg Docherty would come back into the side following illness last weekend but Nathan Jones elected to stick with the side that beat Exeter City and that meant Karoy Anderson held on to his midfield berth.

The game felt unlike any other we had seen involving the Addicks once it got going. Charlton were on the front foot early but the contest was so open. Orient were aggressive on the turnover, looking to attack with tempo. Charlton had a lot of joy in wide areas but Orient dealt with most of Tyreece Campbell and Thierry Small’s crosses.

Orient weren’t at their best before the break but burst out of the blocks after it. They had their lead five minutes into the second period and had Charlton on the ropes. Jones had to play his fake goalkeeper injury card to call his charges over for a rethink.

Miles Leaburn, Alex Gilbert and Docherty came into the contest, with Anderson, Josh Edwards and Luke Berry withdrawn. Campbell dropped into the left wing-back role to accommodate Leaburn up top. Chuks Aneke added a further presence up front for the final 15 minutes – before the Addicks won it with two set-pieces.

STAR MAN

Alex Gilbert. Charlton spotted a weakness at Orient’s far-stick from set-pieces and he landed two in the right area for the Addicks to score twice.

BEST MOMENT

The stampede of yellow shirts towards the away end bang on the final whistle. A moment of celebration and togetherness for players and supporters alike that will live long in the memory.

MOAN OF THE MATCH

Clubs are forced to name their man of the match too early. Orient’s PA system announced that goalkeeper Josh Keeley was the winner just before the game ticked over into injury-time. He then cost his side two goals.

A TALKING POINT DOWN THE PUB

An enormous psychological episode in the play-off chase. For the Addicks, it’s another outing for their unquenchable never-say-die attitude. The South Londoners have been the late goal kings in League One this term.

The sight of the players and staff storming towards the travelling support encapsulated the unity and determination within the squad and support as well. The late turnaround was a statement of the resilience and belief that Nathan Jones has engineered in his side as the campaign has worn on.

It will be fascinating to see how this affects Orient too. In spells we saw why they have been such a threat this year but three defeats on the spin against promotion hopefuls is a bubble-burster. Charlton will need to take out their rivals one by one if they want to get promotion this year.

Charlton climb back into the top six. Can they stay there over the final 13 games?

WHAT THE BOSS HAD TO SAY

“Even when we got the first goal, we went after the ball to get it and we wanted to win. We felt momentum was with us. That’s the mentality of the team.

“We want to win every game. Coming here and getting a point would have been a very good result, but we’re not necessarily happy with that. I’m really pleased.”

PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS