Charlton 2 Wrexham 2
Matty Godden’s dramatic penalty deep into injury-time earned Charlton a 2-2 draw with Wrexham at The Valley on Saturday.
The Addicks were forced to come from behind when a Conor Coventry own-goal put the visitors ahead and Macaulay Gillesphey’s header drew the hosts level before the break.
Wrexham regained the lead via substitute Andy Cannon midway through the second-half, but Godden proved to be the hero, slamming home his spot-kick in the seventh minute of time added on to ensure a share of the spoils.
The home side faced an early setback when they were forced into a change after just four minutes as Tennai Watson limped off, replaced by Rarmani Edmonds-Green, but they came close to an early lead with six minutes on the clock when Luke Berry’s inviting free-kick from the left evaded everyone and dipped narrowly wide of the post.
Despite a bright start from the hosts, however, it was Wrexham who took the lead via an own goal.
A driven free-kick delivery from the far right was flicked on by Conor Coventry, wrong-footing Will Mannion and ending up in the net.
Charlton responded well as they went in search of a leveller and Coventry came close to making amends in the 22nd minute when he forced Arthur Okonkwo into a smart save, flying to his left to deny the midfielder’s deflected effort.
And moments later, the Addicks did bag their equaliser. Josh Edwards pumped the ball into the box where Gillesphey was on hand to send a looping header over Okonkwo for his first goal in Charlton colours.
At the other end, former Addick Elliot Lee came inches away from coming back to haunt his former side when his stinging, first-time shot from the edge of the box clipped the crossbar.
Nathan Jones introduced Miles Leaburn ahead of the second half and the Londoners got on the front foot early on with Tyreece Campbell showing good feet to get into the box and force Okonkwo into action at his near post.
Matty Godden let fly with a good-looking effort which flew over from distance on 55 minutes, while sub Terry Taylor’s free-kick was pushed over the bar by Okonkwo in the 69th minute.
But despite the Addicks enjoying much the better of the second half, it was the Welshmen who nudged themselves in front with 19 minutes remaining.
After working the ball into the box, Alex Mitchell slid in with a good challenge as a Wrexham forward was about to pull the trigger, but it only led to falling to the feet of Cannon who slotted home with his first touch after coming off the bench moments later.
Charlton laboured to get themselves back into it, but could not quite muster up that killer opportunity to pull themselves level.
But just as it looked like Jones’ men were going to be left empty-handed, they were gifted a golden opportunity deep into injury-time from the penalty spot.
A free-kick into the box was nodded down into the six-yard box by Leaburn and Wrexham defender Max Cleworth stuck out an arm, leaving the referee no choice but to point to the spot.
Godden took the honours of bravely stepping up in front of the Covered End seven minutes into injury-time and he made no mistake, smashing home his spot-kick to send the Valley faithful into raptures and earning the Addicks a deserved point.
Charlton: Mannion; Watson (Edmonds-Green 4), A Mitchell, Gillesphey, Edwards; Docherty (Taylor 62), Coventry (Hylton 81), Anderson (Leaburn 46), Berry (A Campbell 62); T Campbell, Godden
Subs (not used): Maynard-Brewer, Small
Booked: Edwards 28 (foul on Barnett), Leaburn 84 (dissent), Hylton 90 (foul on Cleworth)
Goals: Gillesphey 23, Godden 90+7 (pen)
Wrexham: Okonkwo, Cleworth, O’Connor, McClean, Palmer(Faal 86), Mullin, Dobson, Rathbone (Cannon 70), Scarr, Barnett (Revan 85), Lee
Subs (not used): Burton, O’Connell, Bolton, James
Booked: Rathbone 53 (foul on T Campbell), McClean 66 (dissent), Scarr 68 (foul on Leaburn), Revan 90+5 (Foul on T Campbell)
Goals: Coventry (og) 16, Cannon 72
Referee: Sam Purkiss (Alan Dale 36)
Attendance: 24,692 (2,647 away)
