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Macauley Bonne’s late equaliser for Charlton secured a 2-2 draw against Wigan at The Valley on Saturday afternoon.
Patrick Bauer’s match-winning strike at Wembley last season in the League One play-off final was shown on the big screen at The Valley ahead of kick off, the memories of that day intending to inspire the Addicks’ current crop of players.
Crowd noise was used over the tannoy, the famous anthem of ‘Valley Floyd Road’ used to replicate the atmosphere usually to be found in south London.
Kal Naismith mistook the Valley for the funfair on seven minutes, taking out an innocent Charlton cardboard cut out as if at the shooting gallery. In the theme of the day, Naismith would redeem himself soon after.
After the ball was poorly cleared by captain Jason Pearce, the resulting cross in by the Scot found the head of Kieffer Moore from three yards out.
The former Barnsley striker headed towards goal, and despite the original effort being saved by Dillon Phillips, the ball was turned home by Jamal Lowe, giving Wigan the lead.
Phillips was one of three academy graduates in the starting XI alongside Alfie Doughty and Josh Davison.
Lee Bowyer’s trust in youth paid off when Adam Matthews’ deep cross was brilliantly volleyed home by Doughty at the back post.
Queue a huge chance for Charlton to take the lead. A superb cross field ball from Naby Sarr found Bonne with areas of space to run through on goal.
Under no pressure, the English striker faced David Marshall, but failed to beat him with the ‘keeper saving well with his legs. Despite the save, it was a chance that simply had to be finished considering Charton’s perilous situation towards the foot of the Championship.
Charlton’s long balls forward were constantly challenged by Bonne, but the connection between himself and Davison seemed poor throughout, leading to frustrations growing for the striker.
At the drinks break, goalkeeping coach Andy Marshall, Bonne and Phillips could be observed discussing the best way to utilise these long, currently aimless, kicks.
In spite of the miss, Bonne continued to work hard for the team and on 38 minutes, Charlton felt they should have been awarded a penalty when the striker was wrestled to the ground.
Using his body well to shield the ball, replays appeared to showing Wigan defender Nathan Byrne rather clumsily throwing Bonne to the floor, referee Gavin Ward unmoved despite wild Charlton appeals.
They were made to rue their missed chances. No matter how effective Dillon Phillips has been this season, with Darren Pratley recently naming the 25-year-old the best goalkeeper in the Championship, he had no chance of stopping Wigan’s second.
Antonee Robinson’s overlapping run was found, and his cross was tapped home by the impressive Kieran Dowell, who was left unmarked within the Charlton box.
The second period failed to prompt further opportunities for the Addicks. A Sarr free-kick was pushed away well by Marshall, whilst Sam Morsy’s effort at the other end was well held by Phillips.
The ball was in the area for much of the half as deliveries peppered the Wigan area, Paul Cook’s team seemingly fairly untroubled.
Lee Bowyer has been openly critical of Charlton’s finishing in the past and there was no doubt of the former England midfielder being asked about this aspect of his team’s play again post-match as the minutes ticked away.
Into added time we went as still no chances arrived. One cross in particular, a looping delivery falling onto Jonny Williams’ head, the smallest player on the park, seemed to typify the performance.
With time ticking down and Charlton’s fears about to be realised, Bonne stepped up with the most vital of goals. A long ball from Matthews found the head of substitute Chuks Aneke to flick on. The ball fell perfectly to former Leyton Orient striker Bonne, who this time kept his composure to fire in a low finish across goal.
His redemption was now complete. His name erased from inevitable Twitter mentions after the game, for negative reasons at least.
There was no doubting that his chance would have been a major talking point should Charlton have left with nothing.
At the full-time whistle, both sets of players collapsed to the floor.
This was a draining game in the London sunshine, both mentally and physically, as the relegation battle continues in the Championship.
Both teams will look with interest to Hull’s fixture with Luton, which could have huge ramifications in the battle for survival.
For today, Bonne has rescued Charlton a point. A point that could prove so crucial in their bid to remain a Championship club next season.
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