Funso Ojo's late strike earns the Valiants victory at The Valley in a five goal thriller.
The hosts had the first opportunity on four minutes when Corey Blackett-Taylor tried to curl an effort into the far corner from the left inside the area but it went well wide of Connor Ripley’s goal.
Five minutes later Charlton took the lead through a fairly soft penalty. Daniel Kanu ran through on goal and past Ripley before going to ground. There looked to be no contact, but referee Sunny Singh Gill disagreed and gave the spot kick. Alfie May then opened the scoring from 12-yards.
The Valiants’ first real chance came after 27 minutes when Ollie Arblaster brushed past two Charlton defenders and took aim on the edge of the area but his effort just went wide of the right-hand post.
Further pressure came from Vale courtesy of Tom Sang. Brilliant build up play in the area before the ball was laid up nicely for Sang but he just dragged his effort wide of the post.
The Valiants dominated the latter stages of the first half. Nathan Smith almost brought the score level on 41 minutes following a corner. He leaped high but his low header was saved well by Ashley Maynard-Brewer.
Alfie May looked to double his and Charlton’s tally early in the second half but his curling effort on the edge of the area was held by Ripley.
And May was made to pay for that effort as soon after the Valiants turned the game on its head in a matter of minutes.
Ethan Chislett’s powerful and low free kick was glanced home by James Wilson on 55 minutes. Then just two minutes later Chislett pounced on a defensive error and made no mistake, running through on goal and smashing the ball past Maynard-Brewer into the top corner to put Vale in front.
But the Valiants’ lead did not last long as after 71 minutes the hosts levelled things once more when Kanu headed Blackett-Taylor's cross past Ripley.
Kanu had an opportunity to put Charlton back ahead on 82 minutes with the ball bobbling inside the area but his shot on the turn went well over Ripley’s bar.
But the Valiants were not leaving London without the three points. Outstanding work from Josh Thomas to keep the pressure on Nathan Asiimwe and eventually take the ball off him. Thomas’ first shot was saved but the striker then played the ball across the box for the unmarked Funso Ojo to tap home the winner.
Charlton Athletic | Ashley Maynard-Brewer, Lloyd Jones, George Dobson, Michael Hector, Alfie May, Terry Talyor, (72’ Diallang Jaiyesimi) Tayo Edun (80’ Terell Thomas), Corey Blackett-Taylor, Daniel Kanu, Nathan Asiimwe (90+2’ Jack Payne), Karoy Anderson.
Subs not used | Harry Isted, Lucas Ness, Charlie Kirk, Conor McGrandles.
Port Vale | Connor Ripley, Dan Jones, Tom Sang (68’ Mitch Clark), Nathan Smith, Ben Garrity, Ethan Chislett (61’ Gavin Massey), Funso Ojo, Conor Grant (78’ James Plant), Alex Iacovitti, Ollie Arblaster (78’ Jason Lowe), James Wilson (68’ Josh Thomas)
Subs not used | Jayson Leutwiler, Lewis Cass.