MX23RW : Saturday, March 26 19:23:23| >> :120:7757:7757:
May 12, 2019 at 12.15pm UK at The Keepmoat Stadium
Attendance: 11,140
DoncasterDoncaster Rovers
1-2
CharltonCharlton Athletic
Blair (87')
FT(HT: 0-2)
Taylor (32'), Aribo (34')

Result: Charlton in charge despite Doncaster's late strike

Result: Charlton in charge despite Doncaster's late strike
© Reuters
Lyle Taylor and Joe Aribo secured a 2-1 first-leg win as Matty Blair pulled a goal back.

Two quickfire first-half goals put Charlton in command of their League One play-off semi-final against Doncaster as they won the first leg 2-1.

Lyle Taylor and Joe Aribo both netted in the space of three minutes to ensure the visitors quashed a bright start by hosts Doncaster.

Lee Bowyer's side looked to be taking a healthy advantage back to The Valley until Matty Blair grabbed a late goal back for Doncaster, giving them hope for Friday night's second leg.

Prior to the Charlton goals it had been a energetic and competitive affair, with Doncaster looking the more threatening over the opening half-hour.

The game was played at an electric pace, with both sides determined to press high and hard from the very start.

But Charlton's comfortable lead changed the complexion of the contest, with the visitors allowing Doncaster to take the initiative and attempt to break them down.

Josh Parker thought he had given Charlton an early lead after slotting through Marko Marosi's legs only for play to be pulled back for a foul on Andy Butler in the build-up.

Doncaster soon began to enjoy the better of the attacking play, with James Coppinger curling narrowly wide from 20 yards.

But Charlton possessed real threat, with both Herbie Kane and Butler required to produce vital blocks to deny Taylor and Aribo in quick succession.

And Parker headed a Ben Purrington cross wide from a superb position at the near post.

Kane volleyed over from 25 yards for Doncaster before Coppinger drew a smart save from Dillon Phillips with a shot on the turn.

Danny Andrew cracked the crossbar with a free-kick from close to 35 yards out as Doncaster grew in confidence.

But the game quickly turned in favour of the hosts.

First Josh Cullen stopped the ball on the byline, with Doncaster appealing in vain for offside, and drilled back across goal where, after a pinball effect, Taylor headed in from close range on 32 minutes.

Before Doncaster had time to regroup, they found themselves two goals down. Taylor took advantage of a half clearance and slid a pass into the box for Aribo, who smashed across goal and through the hands of Marosi into the far corner.

Doncaster almost pulled a goal back early in the second half when Butler powered in an effort from a corner only for Cullen to block on the goal line.

Doncaster saw plenty of the ball after the break but struggled to break down a resolute Charlton side who increasingly bolstered their defensive options as the half wore on.

And the visitors took advantage of Doncaster's search for a way back in with Parker, Purrington and Cullen all drawing good saves from Marosi.

But Doncaster's search was eventually rewarded when Blair nodded in a Mallik Wilks cross from close range on 87 minutes.

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Press Association Sport staff');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '05c52cf9-6bd1-469c-9f2b-29151ddece44');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:match-reports');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Charlton in charge despite Doncaster\u2019s late strike'});

ID:359036: cacheID:359036:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5334:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson cuts a frustrated figure on December 4, 2018
Read Next:
Roy Hodgson praises Palace's professional performance at Doncaster
>

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
International Friendlies
League One
League Two
National League
National League North
National League South
Scottish Championship
Scottish League One
Scottish League Two
NIFL Premiership
Welsh Premier League
Segunda Division
Eerste Divisie
Major League Soccer
Liga MX
Australian A-League
International Friendlies
International Friendlies
Women's Super League
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Rotherham UnitedRotherham39248764253980
2Wigan AthleticWigan37247666343279
3MK Dons392210764382676
4Plymouth ArgylePlymouth402281066402674
5Oxford UnitedOxford Utd392091074492569
6Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds391912864422269
7Sunderland3919101066481867
8Wycombe WanderersWycombe391812962471566
9Ipswich TownIpswich4017131059401964
10Portsmouth3816111153391459
11Bolton WanderersBolton391771560491158
12Cheltenham TownCheltenham401214145667-1150
13Accrington StanleyAccrington39148174865-1750
14Charlton AthleticCharlton39147184649-349
15Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury401212164137448
16Cambridge UnitedCambridge391212154759-1248
17Burton Albion39138184860-1247
18Lincoln CityLincoln39119194352-942
19Gillingham40813193160-2937
20Fleetwood TownFleetwood38713185067-1734
21AFC Wimbledon39615184062-2233
22Morecambe39711214779-3232
23Doncaster RoversDoncaster4086262874-4630
24Crewe AlexandraCrewe3967263071-4125

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Match previews - Daily
Transfer Talk Daily
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!