Match report: Charlton Athletic 2, Wigan Athletic 2

A Last-gasp equaliser by Macauley Bonne denied Wigan Athletic a priceless victory away at Charlton Athletic.
Kieran Dowell puts Wigan 2-1 up in the first halfKieran Dowell puts Wigan 2-1 up in the first half
Kieran Dowell puts Wigan 2-1 up in the first half

The Latics appeared set for all three points after first-half goals by Jamal Lowe and Kieran Dowell had put them 2-1 ahead against their fellow relegation rivals.

However, Bonne's late intervention two minutes into stoppage time salvaged a point for the hosts and means the Latics' survival hopes are back in the melting point.

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Despite being in 13th spot with 58 points, Paul Cook's men know their heads are only above water due to the fact that they have a 12-point deduction hanging over them after the club was placed into administration earlier this month.

Kieffer Moore heads towards goal, his header was saved but Jamal Lowe was on hand to bundle home the rebound and give the Latics the lead at CharltonKieffer Moore heads towards goal, his header was saved but Jamal Lowe was on hand to bundle home the rebound and give the Latics the lead at Charlton
Kieffer Moore heads towards goal, his header was saved but Jamal Lowe was on hand to bundle home the rebound and give the Latics the lead at Charlton

Theoretically, they are just a point above third bottom Hull and second bottom Luton, who face each other later today, with the final game of the season to come against Fulham at the DW Stadium on Wednesday

In truth, it would have been harsh on Lee Bowyer's men if they had finished the game empty handed.

Indeed, it could be argued that over the 90 minutes, the Addicks were the better side and looked like they would rue one golden opportunity missed by Bonne in the first half when the score was 1-1.

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The hosts had responded well to going a goal behind through Jamal Lowe's ninth minute strike.

They were back on level terms two minutes later through Alfie Doughty and then proceeded to have the better of the play.

However, a great break by Antonee Robinson five minutes from half-time set-up Tuesday night's hat-trick hero Kieran Dowell, who made no mistake to score what looked like was going to be the winner.

In the second half, both sides huffed and puffed without creating any clear cut opportunities until the final few moments when Bonne found himself in time and space inside the area to slot past Marshall.

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After a quiet opening, the Latics took the lead with their first significant foray forward in the ninth minute.

Kal Naismith made in-roads down the right before dinking a cross to the back post.

Kieffer Moore's header was saved by Dillion Phillips but he could only parry the ball up in the air and Jamal Lowe was on hand to bundle the ball over the line from a yard out.

If that was cue for the floodgates to open like Tuesday night's astonishing 8-0 win over Hull City at the DW Stadium, then the visitors were in for a rude awakening.

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The Addicks hit back almost immediately and then proceeded to have the better of the exchanges for the next 25 minutes or so.

The hosts' equaliser, which came in the 11th minute, was a thing of beauty.

Right-back Adam Matthews launched a deep cross into the box which was met on the volley by Alfie Doughty, who gave Marshall no chance from an angle.

The hosts began to pen the visitors back and Naby Sarr just failed to get on the end of a teasing Josh Cullen corner in the 18th minute.

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At the other end a minute later, Naismith's header did not cause Phillips too much trouble after Antonee Robinson's cross from the left.

A huge moment in the game arrived in the 28th minute when Sarr released Bonne clean through on goal with a great pass.

With just Marshall to beat, Bonne left-foot effort was saved as the visiting keeper got his foot to the ball.

Seven minutes later, Cedric Kipre almost turned the ball into his own net after Jake Forster-Caskey's cross from the right.

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Soon after, the home side were appealing for a penalty after Nathan Byrne appeared to haul down Bonne.

Latics boss Paul Cook, vocal on the sidelines as he tried to cajole his men, look to change things up on the pitch as he opted to go three at the back, pulling Naismith from his wing position alongside central defenders Kipre and Leon Balogun.

The Wigan manager may have just been happy to get his men in at half-time all-square, but somewhat against run of play they moved back in front five minutes before the interval

The goal owed much to the pace of Robinson, who raced forward with the ball. The left-back was tackled but the ball ran loose to Lowe.

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He fed the ball into the path of Robinson, who had continued his run. Dow

The youngster got in behind the Addicks' back line and delivered a ball to the back post which was met first time by Dowell, who made no mistake from 10 yards.

Wondering how his men had found themselves behind at half-time, Addicks boss Lee Bowyer decided to make a double substitution at half-time.

His men could have gone 3-1 down early in the second half but Lowe fired into the side netting from an acute angle after good link-up play between Robinson and Dowell.

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With Bowyer imploring his players forward, Charlton began to take control of proceedings for the next 20 minutes

Cullen fired wide of goal, while Sarr had Marshall scrambling to his left with a free-kick on the hour mark.

The Latics still looked threatening going forward and in the 64th minute Phillips had to save at the second attempt from Morsy's low, hard shot.

Soon after, the hosts' keeper then had to save smartly from Moore right-foot shot from the left of the penalty area.

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The Latics looked to have blunted the Addicks but just when it looked they would be heading north with all three points, Bonne found himself free inside the area and slotted past Marshall.

The home side then threw caution to the wind in search of a winner, but the visitors managed to withstand some desperate late pressure.

CHARLTON: Dillon Phillips, Adam Matthews, Tom Lockyer, Jason Pearce (Aiden McGeady 82), Jake Forster-Caskey (Jonny Williams 45), Macauley Bonne, Naby Sarr, Josh Cullen, Sam Field (Albie Morgan 45), Josh Davision (Chuks Aneke55), Alfie Doughty.

SUBS: Ben Amos, Ben Purrington, Deji Oshilaja, Andre Green, Tomer Hemed.

Booked: Williams

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WIGAN: David Marshall, Nathan Byrne, Antonee Robinson, Cedric Kipre, Leon Balogun, Sam Morsy, Joe Williams, Kieran Dowell (Lee Evans 67), Kal Naismith, Jamal Lowe (Gary Roberts 86), Kieffer Moore

SUBS: Jamie Jones, Lewis Macleod, Joe Gelhardt, Jan Mlakar, Joe Garner, Tom Pearce, Alex Dobre, Gavin Massey

Booked: Williams, Kipre, Morsy