Wycombe beat sorry Addicks
Darren Bent could do nothing to prevent an embarrassing defeat
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Tuesday, 19, Dec 2006 10:44
Charlton Athletic's dismal season stumbled to a new low with a 1-0 defeat to Wycombe Wanderers that saw the League Two side advance to the last four of the Carling Cup.
Les Reed's side deserved no more than defeat as the visitors got their just rewards for carrying the fight to their top-flight opponents.
Early on a disgruntled Valley crowd could have been even more unhappy had it not been for the fine performance of on-loan goalkeeper Scott Carson.
The Liverpool youngster saved well from Mike Williamson, Jermaine Easter and Tommy Mooney in a hectic opening period during which Charlton's players seemed to struggle against the energy of Paul Lambert's team.
But the pressure told ten minutes from the break when Easter found the power and accuracy to beat the 'keeper with a fierce low drive into the bottom corner.
Suddenly, faced with the possibility of an embarrassing exit, the hosts showed at least some attacking verve and Marcus Bent's narrow miss in the closing minutes of the half set the tone for the next 45 minutes.
Amdy Faye fluffed the best hope of a leveller as he dragged his shot wide when found in space by Darren Bent's cutback, but a couple of tame long-range efforts were all the home team had to show for their dominance.
As the Chairboys hung on for another famous giant-killing, Reed was registering his fifth defeat in his short time at the helm of the Premiership strugglers.