Blackpool 2 v Charlton Athletic 0

After a promising first half, Charlton lost this match in the first ten minutes of the second as Liam Dickinson helped himself to two goals, his third and fourth in two matches on loan from Derby.

Phil Parkinson went with the same starting line-up that drew with Southampton last time out - Weaver, McEveley, Hudson, Fortune, Cranie, Bouazza, Semedo, Bailey, Gillespie, Gray and Burton. The first chance of the game fell to Charlton; McEveley's cross was knocked down by Deon Burton and Gray spun and shot goalward from four yards but his effort was well saved by ex-Addick Rachubka at close range. Rachubka then did well to tip over a goal-bound volley from Burton and Bouazza fired wide after 22 minutes. The home crowd had been quietened and CAFCTV commentator told us that there was little atmosphere at the game. Blackpool did force a number of corners in the first half and Liam Dickinson was the target of everything they did. Hamill chipped Weaver on 35 minutes but his shot hit the bar and Charlton remained on level pegging. In a sign of what was to come, Blackpool began to get into the game just before the break and Nicky Bailey had to head off the line from another corner.

Within two minutes of the restart Blackpool took the lead. From another corner, Liam Dickinson was first to get to a near post ball and headed powerfully passed Weaver leaving Charlton defenders looking accusingly at each other. Blackpool scented blood and Dickenson scored his second 9 minutes later when he ran onto a chipped through pass. His first shot was parried by Weaver but once again was only pushed back into his path and he finished at the second attempt. Pretty much game over at that stage. Parkinson made the anticipated substitutions, Dickson for Gray and Sam for Gilespie but to no effect. Southern should have made it 3-0 but he headed wide with no-one to beat.  Martin Cranie limped off before the finish and Semedo had to deputise whilst Holland came on to shore up the midfield. 

The 321 hardy Addicks who were at the game had to suffer the indignity of "going down" chants before the final whistle. With Doncaster beating Plymouth 1-0 and Forest getting a 2-2 draw at Coventry, Charlton are now joint-bottom of the table with Forest on 17 points. Unfortunately, it also means we will play at home to Coventry on Tuesday evening under a bit more pressure. We now haven't won in 11 games and have managed to take 4 points from a possible 33. Relegation stalks us. How we need 4 or 6 points from Coventry and Derby at the Valley.