Charlton Athletic 4 v Exeter City 2

Huge relief amongst Charlton supporters last night as we finally won again. In the end it was a convincing win against a decent Exeter team who were limited by their small squad and a second game in four days. For a change, Ben Garner was able to make good use of his stronger bench and everything paid off.

The recent switch to 4-4-2 proved critical last night as Stockley a Leaburn held the line and our midfield pushed up to support them. Mandela Egbo (my Man of the Match) was prominent down the right flank and allowed Rak-Sakyi to run at their defence. 

Dobson had another strong game in front of the back four as did Scott Fraser. Each made one of the first-half goals. Dobson spotted Leaburn in a large gap on the left and chipped a ball over the top to him which he controlled brilliantly with his first touch, shaped to shoot with his left which was well disguised and allowed him to push it onto his right peg and fire a shot to the keeper's left which took a slight deflection but whistled in nonetheless. You have to keep reminding yourself that Leaburn is still only 18. He has unusual composure and touch for one so tall at his age (more so than his father) and is growing in confidence steadily. Last night was one of his best yet so it was a pity to see him limp off early in the second-half. Hopefully just a heavy knock which will benefit from a few days added rest before Pompey on Monday.

Fraser's assist came after another right-wing attack from Rak-Sakyi that broke down but was quickly picked up by Fraser on the right. He drove past the full-back and whipped a cross into the box at head height. It was perfect for Stockley and any touch would do. Stockers somehow failed to connect but the covering defender didn't and it flew in off him. With 30-odd minutes gone there were shades of Plymouth Argyle again but instead of finding a third before the break, Exeter gone one back with a superb half-volley from distance from Stansfield which flew into the top corner.

Exeter had been getting forward and matched us in the stats all night (Caprice looked a real player by the way) but they lacked a cutting edge and Inniss and O'Connell did well alongside Egbo and Sessegnon to restrict them. When Leaburn limped off it was Albie Morgan who replaced him and Clare was also brought on for the tiring Sessegnon. I thought this was a bad move, not replacing Leaburn with Chuks who was back on the bench and wondered that perhaps he wasn't 100% ready. 

However, Morgan's energy kept us upfield and Clare was more dominant on the left-side than Sessegnon had been. Garner also bought Blackett-Taylor and Payne on for Kirk and Rak-Sakyi in another move that I thought was premature after their poor showings in recent weeks. Both also proved me wrong. They were only on for less that 20 minutes but Blackett-Taylor had the right-back on toast and Payne was on hand to head home the fourth but not before Chuks scored within two minutes of his return (for Stockley) with a close finish off the keeper.

Mandela Egbo conceded a late penalty after a strong challenge on the wing was waved on by the ref but not when a second bite at the cherry in the box put his man down. As Pete said, he may have got away with the strong shoulder further upfield.

The win lifts us into an artificially high place of eleventh with so many others playing this evening but we got the points and spirits will be lifted ahead of Monday night's Sky game against Portsmouth.

The home gate looked the smallest of the season although Exeter had a decent vocal midweek following of c 800-900. Laughably the official attendance was given out at 11-something. 

Finally, what a good pundit Ali Maxwell is. His analysis was excellent and insightful and a perfect foil for Curbs. I know he is a journo and does something for the EFL highlights programme but assume he is also a Charlton fan - certainly came across as he was enjoying the win and he called it right at half-time when I had fears we might lose 3-2.