U23S REPORT | Charlton 0 Hull City 1

Despite Jason Euell’s side creating many opportunities, they could not find the back of the net and City's second-half substitute Luke Lofts gave the Tigers all three points with a wonderful strike with 25 minutes left. 

Charlton had the best chance of the first half when Louis Yamfam took the ball past two Hull players before supplying George Lapslie whose pass found Karlan Ahearne-Grant but the forward could only strike straight at Tigers goalkeeper Charlie Andrew.

Yamfam then saw a spectacular effort go harmlessly wide from 40 yards out, with the goal gaping after Andrew had miscued his clearance.

The first-half dominance continued for Euell’s men and it was Matt Carter who was next to see a shot parried by Andrew as the half drew to a close scoreless.

After the break, Charlton continued where they had left off. Aaron Barnes got onto the end of a clever Yamfam back heel before distributing a lovely cross to Ahearne-Grant, who should have scored but saw his header go over instead.

Moments later, Ahearne-Grant came close to making up for his miss when he was released on the left-hand side by Brandon Hanlan. However, Andrew produced a superb left-handed save to keep the youngster out. 

Continuing to try and get the opener, Charlton once again went close through a powerful Yamfam drive that just glanced over the bar.

Hull then had their best opportunity of the match but a shot from the edge of the penalty area was brilliantly kept out by Dimitar Mitov.

And it would be Jon Beale’s side who would take the lead courtesy of substitute Lofts' superb strike, which left Mitov with no chance.

Charlton had a glorious chance to equalise but substitute Chris Millar could only hit the inside of the post after Andrew had tipped Lapslie’s cross away, which left Hull with all three points. 

The U23s will next face Coventry City on Monday at the Ricoh Arena.