Doncaster 1 Charlton 2: Lyle Taylor and Joe Aribo score twice in two minutes to put one foot in the play-off final
CHARLTON have one foot in the League One play-off final after outclassing Doncaster on their own patch.
Lyle Taylor and Joe Aribo scored twice in two first half minutes to give Lee Bowyer’s side the advantage heading into the reverse leg.
But Doncaster fired themselves back into the tie in the final stages of the contest when Matty Blair headed in at the back post.
Charlton, who play in front of their own fans on Friday, haven’t lost a home game in seven months.
And unless Doncaster improve, they won’t be ending that record anytime soon.
Charlton will be wondering how they didn’t win by a greater margin before Donny’s late rally gave them a lifeline.
Taylor had a glorious chance to score Charlton’s third and put the tie beyond doubt moments before the home side halved the deficit.
Bowyer’s side dominated the first half and were rewarded when Taylor scored his 25th goal of the campaign.
He needed two bites of the cherry to head home and just as Doncaster aimed to regain their composure, they had a massive mountain to climb.
A smart ball from Albie Morgan found Taylor in the box who nonchalantly laid it into the path of Aribo.
He hit it first time under the arm of the keeper who will feel he should have done better.
They missed a flurry of chances to add to their lead but boss Bowyer was delighted with the performance although couldn’t hide his disappointment with the late goal.
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He said after the game: “Very happy, to come away from home and win the game, I’m very happy.
“It’s disappointing to concede because we worked so hard. They didn’t get too many chances and their threats we nullified. But the positives is that we’re taking it back home with a one goal lead.
“The fans have been outstanding all season. The way this club has come together again has been great to see.”