Match ends, MK Dons 1, Charlton Athletic 0.
MK DonsMilton Keynes Dons1CharltonCharlton Athletic0
A first-half goal from Dean Bowditch gave MK Dons victory over managerless strugglers Charlton Athletic.
The Addicks nearly took an early lead but Dons goalkeeper David Martin saved brilliantly from Jordan Cousins.
Bowditch put the hosts ahead with their first goal in more than five hours with a neat finish after linking up well with Samir Carruthers.
Nicky Maynard was twice denied by away keeper Stephen Henderson and Bowditch hit the post as the Dons dominated.
The three points were a welcome boost for Karl Robinson's men, who are now four points clear of the bottom three in the Championship.
In contrast, the Addicks remain second from bottom and have failed to score since 4 October, losing their last five matches.
After Cousins had gone close to ending that search for a goal, the home team got on top and Henderson had to scramble away a Matt Upson effort before Bowditch scored his second goal of the season.
Maynard, without a goal since August 2014, should have put the home side 2-0 up but lacked conviction when played through on goal and Henderson then denied him for a second time when he saved his curling effort.
Bowditch hit a post with a powerful shot from a tight angle before Charlton defender Patrick Bauer had a late header blocked.
MK Dons manager Karl Robinson:
"I thought we were outstanding. It's just a bit disappointing as we should have had a convincing victory.
"The boys have done well to create as many chances as they did and we need to take them.
"There was a little bit of nervous energy around the place, but it takes us four points clear of the drop zone, which is a nice cushion to have."
Charlton interim manager Karel Fraeye:
"I'm concerned with the lack of chances we created, but the Dons only created their chances after we took a lot of risks and we gave them a lot of space.
"We need to get a win as soon as possible to turn this bad run around.
"It's not about me, my concern is the team and I think there are other concerns at this moment."
Line-ups
MK Dons
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Martin
- 12Spence
- 6KayBooked at 88mins
- 4UpsonSubstituted forHodsonat 39'minutes
- 3Lewington
- 39Poyet
- 8Potter
- 31Murphy
- 14Carruthers
- 9BowditchSubstituted forBakerat 72'minutes
- 28MaynardBooked at 73minsSubstituted forChurchat 77'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Hodson
- 7Baker
- 11Church
- 13Gallagher
- 17Powell
- 22Cropper
- 38Hall
Charlton
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 1Henderson
- 20Solly
- 12DiarraBooked at 45mins
- 5BauerBooked at 33mins
- 21Fox
- 7Berg GudmundssonBooked at 16mins
- 4JacksonBooked at 62mins
- 8CousinsSubstituted forMakienokat 61'minutes
- 28McAlenySubstituted forAhearne-Grantat 45'minutes
- 16GhoochannejhadBooked at 51minsSubstituted forLookmanat 65'minutes
- 32Watt
Substitutes
- 6Sarr
- 9Makienok
- 17Holmes-Dennis
- 18Ahearne-Grant
- 22Ba
- 30Pope
- 37Lookman
- Referee:
- Andy Davies
- Attendance:
- 9,575
Match Stats
Home TeamMK DonsAway TeamCharlton
- Possession
- Home56%
- Away44%
- Shots
- Home17
- Away8
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away4
- Corners
- Home4
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home12
- Away19
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, MK Dons 1, Charlton Athletic 0.
Post update
Offside, MK Dons. Darren Potter tries a through ball, but Simon Church is caught offside.
Post update
Foul by Simon Church (MK Dons).
Post update
Alou Diarra (Charlton Athletic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Diego Poyet (MK Dons) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Chris Solly (Charlton Athletic).
Post update
Offside, Charlton Athletic. Johnnie Jackson tries a through ball, but Tony Watt is caught offside.
Post update
Attempt missed. Josh Murphy (MK Dons) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Jordan Spence with a headed pass.
Post update
Diego Poyet (MK Dons) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Tony Watt (Charlton Athletic).
Post update
Jordan Spence (MK Dons) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Simon Makienok (Charlton Athletic).
Post update
Attempt missed. Simon Church (MK Dons) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Carl Baker with a through ball.
Post update
Johann Berg Gudmundsson went off injured after Charlton Athletic had used all subs.
Post update
Attempt missed. Diego Poyet (MK Dons) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Josh Murphy.
Booking
Antony Kay (MK Dons) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Simon Church (MK Dons).
Post update
Alou Diarra (Charlton Athletic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Corner, MK Dons. Conceded by Alou Diarra.
