Charlton Athletic 2 v Exeter City 1

The talk as everyone left the ground today was of having gone back to the top of the table with Leeds only managing a draw in Milton Keynes. Disappointing to see then that Yorkshire's finest managed a late, late goal to win and retain their top slot. Not to worry, as Bristol Rovers failed to score at home to Brighton and lost 1-0 which means the gap over third has increased to four points. Us and Leeds are now the only unbeaten sides in the top four divisions after Chelsea slipped up at Wigan and Palace won at the Hawthorns.

We thoroughly deserved to beat an unambitious Exeter side today who, according to the programme, have an enormous squad of 46 professionals! The first 45 minutes was largely played in their half and they were fortunate to go in only one down. The game opened up in the second period as the Grecians tried to make a game of it but they were eventually undone by a fumble from the unimpressive Oscar Jansson in his luminous kit. Even then we managed to invite City forward at the end and score what was an almost inevitable consolation.

Phil Parkinson was forced into a change of starting line-up for the first time this season as Jose Semedo was replaced in the middle by Matthew Spring. To be honest you could hardly tell during the opening half an hour as Charlton got to work. Once again we dominated the midfield with Sam and Bailey running the flanks and Racon and Spring orchestrating things in the centre.

Exeter looked content just to hang on and were lucky to survive until the 43rd minute before conceding. Nicky Bailey had put a good header on target after stretching backwards to reach a Burton cross only to see Jansson save well high to his left. Burton should then have applied the touch to guide home a Bailey shot straight at goal but his crouching header a yard out was too much and he somehow steered it up and over the bar. It might well have beaten the man on the line if Burton had left it. There was no escape before the break though, as Charlton worked a short corner and the low resulting cross was flicked in by the ginger menace.

One nil at half-time and kicking towards the Covered End in the second period, it looked all over. Once again, however, we didn't do enough and a number of players drifted out of the game. Nicky Bailey went missing for half and hour and it was left to Kelly Youga to do the attacking down the left wing. Matthew Spring also looked to be feeling the pace of the game. Youga has been tearing forward at will in recent games and whilst he is having some success, there were moments in the second half where he was left far behind when he lost possession and City countered. They didn't really create much and many of their attacking forays broke down as they passed the ball out or over-hit crosses. A mark of how ineffective they had been upfront was when Marcus Stewart was substituted after an hour; I hadn't even noticed he was playing. Deon Burton made reluctant way for Izale McLeod with twenty minutes left and I had a feeling this might be McLeod's lucky day. It certainly was because with Exeter beginning to chase the game, he was given an early Christmas present as Jansson spilled a regulation cross out to him in space ten yards out. He looked to have panicked to me as he lashed at the ball but even Izale couldn't miss from here. PhilParkinson won't be too pleased with the booking he volunteered for by removing his shirt in celebration.

So to the last few crazy minutes then when Exeter scored only to have their goal disallowed for offside and a bare-chested visiting fan to run on in premature celebration. He had obviously enjoyed his lunch as he had already fallen down the stairs earlier in the game and fell in the goalmouth as he struggled to remain upright. As he left the stadium, the remaining Exeter supporters watched in amazement as Rob Elliot somehow got a touch on a fierce low shot that looked to have gone passed him. The strength of the contact was enough to carry the ball over the bar and into the disbelieving City fans behind the goal. They weren't to be denied however and scored from the resulting corner although there was barely anytime left for the Addicks to worry about conceding another late equaliser.

I am pleased for McLeod to score only his second Charlton goal since arriving a couple of seasons ago. Deon Burton needs some competition. It was good to see Wagstaff get another 15 minutes and he teamed up with Bailey in the centre as Spring trudged off. Sam Sodje also joined the fray for the final few minutes. Kelly Youga was my man of the match although Lloyd Sam was a close second. The back four were solid and Therry Racon looked peerless in spells. Burton worked hard upfront as usual and Jonjo was busy without playing particularly well.

If we can avoid defeat on Tuesday we get the chance to win at Elland Road on Saturday which would make us the only unbeaten side in the league. Leeds, of course, will also have that opportunity if they don't slip up at home to Carlisle when we are at Colchester in the week. Things are looking good.