Reds 2 (O’Grady 16, 56)
Charlton 2 (Cousins 64, Church 72)
Barnsley should have been home and dry by half time but somehow a two-goal lead was erased by a plucky Charlton side who looked dead and buried in the first half.
On five minutes a loose ball wormed its way towards Hamer in the Charlton goal and the ‘keeper did well in a 50/50 with Dagnall that could have easily seen a Reds goal.
The Reds had started the stronger of the two, and forced a succession of corners. Dagnall and Dawson linked up well – the former inviting Dervite into the book for a late challenge on the right.
Finally the Reds had found the net and it came on 16 minutes thanks to the power of Chris O’Grady and the delivery of Scott Golbourne. ‘Goldy’ teased his man before crossing for Dagnall who was blocked, but O’Grady got in front of his man at the far stick and forced it home.
Unbelievably Charlton kept it at just 1-0 as Dagnall was thwarted when one-on-one, Mellis had his rebound saved, O’Grady crossed for Dagnall again but he was denied with 25 played.
On 31 minutes Callum Harriott was denied by the excellence of Steele who was called into action for the first time. A quick free-kick was worked in to Harriott on the edge of the box and how low shot was expertly tipped past the post by Steele.
An injury to David Perkins saw him withdrawn for the returning Kelvin Etuhu on 33 minutes.
Wiseman had a rush of blood when he steamed forward 50 yards but fired wide of goal on 35 minutes.
The tempo was up and the passing was slick from the Reds as the first half came to a close.
Second half
With 11 gone in the second half, Barnsley had picked up from where they left off as Mellis picked up the ball down the left and hung a brilliant cross in the air for O’Grady to nod into the corner for 2-0 from eight yards. It was just what the Reds – and their supporters, who were in incredible voice – fully deserved.
The Reds carried on charging forward and Etuhu set O’Grady away down the middle, he teed up Dawson but he shot tamely at Hamer.
Harriott sliced a volley at Steele as the Reds failed to break but Charlton were offering very little going forward on the hour.
Substitute Cousins pulled one back for the Addicks and it was a poor one on Barnsley’s part. The defender’s effort was hit into the ground on 64 minutes and looped over the despairing Wiseman’s head and into the net.
With 23 left on the clock, Paul Digby replaced Jacob Mellis in midfield.
O’Brien squirmed his way into the box on 69 minutes before laying the ball off for O’Grady but he shot straight at Hamer for what could have been his hat-trick.
Charlton were, unbelievably, level on 72 minutes when Simon Church sprung the offside trap and raced through to dink over Steele. It was Charlton’s second attempt of the second half that saw them bag their second.
On 76 minutes Jason Scotland replaced Chris Dagnall after the Reds went close with Etuhu being thwarted by his own man in the penalty area.
The Reds pressed hard but Charlton were standing strong at the back and no way through could be found in the three minutes of stoppage time.
Subs: Pope, Green, Sordell, Cort, Piggott.
Charlton: Hamer, Morrison, Dervite, Stephens (Cousins 46), Church, Harriott (Evina 77), Wiggins, Kermorgant, Solly, Wilson, Gower.
Subs: Alnwick, McNulty, Cywka, Cofie.
Reds: Steele, Golbourne, Kennedy, Wiseman, O'Brien, Dawson, O'Grady, Perkins (Etuhu 33), Dagnall (Scotland 76), Mellis (Digby 67), M'voto.
Match Sponsor: Napoleon's.
Fourth Official: Bob Roberts
Assistant Referees: Daniel Meeson & Steven Meredith
Referee: Jeremy Simpson
