Charlton hit late winner in vital victory over BirminghamA last-gasp header from central defender Jorge Teixeira threw Charlton a Sky Bet Championship relegation lifeline as they recorded an invaluable 2-1 victory over play-off chasing Birmingham.Teixeira rose highest three minutes into injury time to meet an Ademola Lookman corner and keep the home side within touch at the foot of the table.The goal also lightened the mood on another day of protests against Charlton's Belgian owner Roland Duchatelet.Barely five seconds in, hundreds of tiny sponge footballs were thrown on to The Valley pitch, accompanied by the now familiar refrain of "We want Roland out" and the waving of black and white scarves, symbol of the fans' 'Spell It Out In Black and White' campaign.There was a four-minute delay while the balls were cleared off the pitch by a combination of ground staff, officials and even players.When play resumed, the first half-chance fell to Charlton, but striker Igor Vetokele could only miscue his shot tamely into the arms of Birmingham keeper Tomasz Kuszczak.Birmingham manager Gary Rowett had taken his squad away for a five-day training break in Marbella after their last fixture against Fulham.The visitors finally roused themselves nine minutes later when, after a David Cotterill free-kick was cleared, midfielder Jon Toral collected the ball in midfield and spotted the overlapping run of right back Paul Caddis.His low cross appeared to take a touch on a Charlton player's boot on its way to the far post where Toral had arrived unmarkedThe on-loan Arsenal midfielder turned the ball home for his eighth goal of the season.Charlton equalised just six minutes later
An attack looked to have broken down when Callum Harriott lost control of the ball only for it to fall into the path of Johann Gudmundsson whose firm shot deflected off Paul Robinson and past Kuszczak.The visitors went close to regaining the lead at the end of the half.Just after the announcement of six minutes of additional time Diego Fabbrini exposed further poor Charlton marking at the far post only to send his volley high and wide.Charlton almost went in front five minutes after the restart when Robinson tripped Vetokele on the edge of the box and Gudmundsson curled the resulting low free-kick narrowly wide.Vetokele was involved again on the hour when he and Kuszczak collided as they closed in on a loose ball.Gaps began to appear as both sides looked for a winner.First, Cotterill ballooned his shot over the bar following good work by substitute Jacques Maghoma and then Charlton substitute Lookman forced Kuszczak into a flying save with a fierce angled shot.Eight minutes from time, Alou Diarra threw himself at a Gudmundsson free-kick only for his header to fly narrowly over.It was left to Teixeira to provide the final act with his headed winner deep in injury time from Lookman's pinpoint corner
Source : PA
Source: PA