Crawley Town 0 Charlton 1
Charlton climbed into fourth in Sky Bet League One with a 1-0 away win at Crawley Town.
Thierry Small was the match-winner, finding the net just before the break, with the Addicks defence standing strong to record a 17th clean sheet of the season.
After some early half chances for both sides Alex Gilbert, making his full Charlton debut, had the Addicks first big chance. Tyreece Campbell set the ball for the on-loan midfielder, whose left-footed half-volley from the edge of the are just cleared the crossbar.
Gilbert’s 28th-minute volley was then blocked by Crawley defender Ben Radcliffe and Kayne Ramsay then drove a long-range shot just wide of goal.
The Addicks took the lead nine minutes later and it started with Lloyd Jones winning the ball back high up the pitch. He fed his centre-back partner Macaulay Gillesphey on the left wing, whose low cross came off Gilbert and landed at the feet of Small, who moved the ball onto his right foot before smashing past former Addick, Joe Wollacott.
Five minutes later Conor Coventry’s chipped ball found Gilbert in behind the Crawley defence. Wollacott was out quickly to smother his shot at goal.
With Crawley chasing a goal the game opened up in the second half and again Wollacott was the busier keeper. Karoy Anderson won the ball in the Crawley box but his shot was straight at the Ghana international.
Campbell, who switched to right-wing-back when Josh Edwards had to be substituted, caused havoc down the right. He pulled back for Matty Godden who saw two shots blocked. Campbell then found fellow-academy graduate Miles Leaburn, whose first-time shot was well saved by his former teammate.
The 21-year-old’s best piece of work saw him control a pass from Kayne Ramsay and speed past his defender into the box. However, his toe-poked shot went just wide of goal.
The Addicks kept Crawley quiet, with Lloyd Jones showing his commitment to keeping the hosts out with a brave header at the back post to deny Will Swan a certain goal.
Charlton return to The Valley on Saturday for the visit of Wigan Athletic, with Nathan Jones’ side, having won nine of their last 12 games, looking to keep their positive momentum going.
Crawley Town: Wollacott, Barker (c), Anderson (Watson 64), Swan, Fraser (Ibrahim 83), Camará (John-Jules 64), Armando, Ademayo (Kelly 83), Mularkey (Holohan 86), Doyle, Radcliffe
Subs (not used): Feely
Booked: Armando 56 (simulation), Barker 78 (foul on Small)
Charlton: Mannion; Ramsay, Jones (c), Gillesphey; Small, Gilbert (McIntyre 84), Coventry, Anderson, Edwards (Godden 55); Leaburn (Hylton 84), Campbell (Mitchell 90+4)
Subs (not used): Reid, Berry, Kanu
Goal: Small 37
Assist: Gilbert 37
Booked: Anderson 26 (foul on Camará), Gillesphey 79 (foul on John-Jules)
Referee: Matthew Russell
Attendance: 5,489 (1,418 from Charlton)