Charlton Athletic and Lincoln City both see red as the Imps win at The Valley

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Lincoln City were 2-1 victors on the road against Charlton Athletic in Sky Bet League One, with both sides going down to ten men.

The visiting Imps took the lead through Morgan Whittaker as he found the bottom right corner after some patient play on the edge of the box. Charlton were soon down to ten men as Alex Gilbey was sent off for a second yellow card.

However it returned into a level playing field as Lincoln soon received a red card, with scorer Whittaker being given his marching orders for his foul on Ben Purrington. Anthony Scully then doubled their lead with around 15 minutes remaining, with Jayden Stockley scoring a consolation goal two minutes from time.

The Addicks are now 15th in the league whereas the Imps remain in 18th and ten points clear of the bottom four.

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Five minutes of drama from Charlton

It was Lincoln who had the first chance of the game, with Liam Cullen unable to get enough power on his back-heel flick from inside the box to put it past Craig MacGillivray in the Charlton goal. The hosts looked to respond with a chance of their own, but Jayden Stockley’s volley was hit wide of the post.

The Imps looked threatening on the counter, particularly with Anthony Scully’s runs down the left flank. Gilbey was close to sneaking his side into the lead as his corner was heading towards the near post, but Lincoln cleared their lines.

Scully pressed the hosts again but the home side were able to regain possession. Conor Washington went up the other end for them a few minutes later and sent a low ball into the area, but Jordan Wright collected it easily in the Lincoln goal.

Johnnie Jackson’s side should have gone 1-0 up in the 23rd minute as Stockley was able to meet Gilbey’s cross, but his effort from close range hit the crossbar. The latter was then booked by referee Robert Madley, Charlton’s 100th yellow card of the season in the league.

Lewis Fiorini, who returned to club action after international duty with Scotland’s youth teams, saw his effort saved by MacGillivray. However soon after, Lincoln were eventually able to take the lead. Whittaker did really well on the edge of the box to find his feet and his patience on the ball paid off as he guided his effort into the bottom right corner.

Things would go from bad to worse for Charlton just four minutes later as Gilbey was given his marching orders for a second yellow card, pulling the shirt of a Lincoln player who was on the break.

Scott Fraser had a chance to break for the Addicks but he took too long to get the pass away, with Brooke Norton-Cuffy firing wide of the post up the other end soon after. The half time whistle eventually came and Lincoln were a goal and a man up at the break.
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Lincoln hold on despite losing scorer

The Imps started off the second half the brighter side as they searched for their second of the game. Scully had a free kick on the edge of the area, but it was sent over the bar.

Charlton thought they found an equaliser through Stockley but his header was saved brilliantly on the line by Wright. Just a minute later, Whittaker was sent off for his poor challenge on Purrington and the rest of the match would be played 10 versus 10.

Wright was called into action to deny Stockley once again, this time denying him from close range. Josh Cullen attempted an acrobatic effort in the box for Lincoln, before Washington sent his curling effort high and wide soon after.

Jake Forster-Caskey came off the bench and made his first appearance for Charlton since last season after suffering an ACL injury, and he was soon involved in the action as he headed just wide of the goal.

However, Lincoln doubled their lead in the 76th minute through Scully. He was able to cut in from the left hand side and fire his effort into the roof of the net. It was a superb strike, with MacGillivray having no chance of saving it.

Stockley, who had so many chances to score, was denied once again off the line by the Imps. He was rewarded with a goal in the 88th minute though as he headed in from a corner. Washington was so close to making it 2-2, but he dragged his shot wide of the post.

Lincoln were holding on in the latter stages but despite the Addicks’ late attempts, they were able to seal a crucial three points, which will surely see them survive relegation this season.

Charlton will next travel to AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday night, with Lincoln making the trip to Fleetwood Town on the same evening.

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