Despite a spirited display, Charlton came away empty handed from Deepdale after suffering a 2-1 defeat on a bitterly cold evening in Lancashire.
As expected, Jose Riga rang the changes, and played with wing-backs and three central defenders.
Marco Motta, Roger Johnson, Jordan Cousins and Ademola Lookman came in at the expense of El-Hadji Ba, Gus Poyet, Zakaraya Bergdich and Callum Harriott.
Rod Fanni made his debut from the bench in the second half.
Motta and Fox provided the width, Chris Solly and Jordan Cousins were the holding midfielders, and Johann Berg Gudmundsson played in the hole behind Ademola Lookman and Simon Makienok.
Charlton started off brightly, but were once again undone by their inability to defend corners.
North End’s clever ploy allowed Joe Garner a clear run to open the scoring with a glancing header from Paul Gallacher’s pinpoint flag-kick after 34 minutes.
The Addicks’ response was almost instantaneous, Gudmundsson thumping home a shot from the edge of the box to restore parity for the visitors three minutes later.
The game was decided early in the second half. Lookman drove to the byline but could not pick out a colleague.
Preston broke and substitute, Callum Robinson, turned in a left wing cross to restore the hosts’ lead.
Charlton huffed and puffed but could not find a second equaliser.
The Addicks were reduced to ten men with just over a quarter-of-an-hour left. Garner appeared to kick out at Lennon, the defender reacted and was shown a straight red by James Adcock. No action was taken against Garner.
With Milton Keynes picking up a point, the defeat means Charlton are now seven points from safety.
Charlton: Henderson; Motta (Sanogo 78), Teixeira, Johnson, Lennon, Fox; Solly (Fanni 64), Cousins (Ba 58), Gudmundsson; Lookman, Makienok.
Subs (not used): Pope, Yun, Bergdich, Harriott.
Goal: Gudmundsson.
Booked: Sanogo 79 (foul).
Sent off: Lennon 74 (violent conduct).
Preston: Lindegaard; Woods, Clarke, Huntington, Wright (Robinson 46); Cunningham, Browne, Gallagher (Welsh 83), Johnson; Reach, Garner (Hugill 90).
Subs (not used): Hudson, Vermijl, Pearson, Doyle.
Goals: Garner 35, Robinson 52m
Booked: Welsh 89 (foul), Robinson 90 (time-wasting).
Referee: James Adcock (Nottinghamshire).
Attn: 10,075.
Preston North End 2-1 Charlton Athletic
Written by Chris Thompson
Tuesday, 23 February 2016 21:35
Tuesday, 23 February 2016 21:35
TAGS: Charlton Athletic