Notts County 1-2 Charlton Athletic
Last updated on .From the section Football
Paul Hayes scored one goal and made another as Charlton Athletic stayed on top of the League One table with an impressive win at Meadow Lane.
The Addicks deservedly led when Hayes found Scott Wagstaff, who rounded keeper Stuart Nelson and produced a fine finish from a tight angle.
Hayes made it 2-0 when he slotted home a low Bradley Wright-Phillips cross.
Cristian Montano gave Notts hope when he tapped in following an Alan Sheehan corner but the visitors held on.
Substitute Montano's 60th-minute goal - his first for Notts - came from their first corner of the match and although they improved after the break, Charlton were good value for their victory.
The Londoners were the better side before the interval and Hayes was denied an opening goal by Nelson before his through-ball found Wagstaff who made it 1-0.
Hayes then doubled the lead when the Charlton took advantage of a misplaced Jeff Hughes pass in midfield.
Montano's simple finish sparked more life into the hosts but the visitors still had the better chances and Wright-Phillips twice went close to adding to the lead in the final 30 minutes.
VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Charlton manager Chris Powell told BBC London 94.9:
"Any team in this division will make you work hard. We had a great advantage of a 2-0 half-time lead.
"But I knew they would try to bombard our box and put us under pressure which they did.
"My team came through a test today of standing up to a really tough squad. We stood up to it and we did very well."
