Penalty heartbreak for Addicks as Wembley dream ends

Swindon won 5-4 on penalties after Nicky Bailey missed Charlton’s second attempt from 12 yards to leave the vast majority of The Valley crowd stunned into silence.

The game finished 2-1 to Charlton on the night and 3-3 after extra-time to set up the shootout.

Charlton led 2-0 at the break courtesy of Simon Ferry’s own goal and David Mooney’s second on the stroke of half-time.

They appeared to be in complete control after Gordon Greer was dismissed but Danny Ward’s 74th minute strike secured extra-time and numerical parity was restored in the 90th minute when Miguel Llera saw red.

Kyel Reid was drafted in on the left, while Bailey moved into the centre of midfield to replace Therry Racon.

Sam Sodje was ruled out so Llera partnered Christian Dailly in the centre of defence.

Matt Fry, who is on loan from West Ham, had his first involvement in the first team since arriving from Upton Park.

The big news for Swindon was the return of Billy Paynter after the prolific striker missed the opening leg through injury.

Swindon keeper David Lucas required a lengthy spell of treatment after landing awkwardly on his shoulder when a long throw in was launched into the danger zone in the opening minute.

In fact, the injury was so serious Lucas was forced to leave the field and be replaced by Phil Smith before play finally resumed in the fifth minute.

Smith’s first involvement was to confidently gather Frazer Richardson’s ninth minute cross, while Sam played a dangerous delivery into the area moments later which just failed to pick out a team mate.

Deon Burton rose high to connect with another Richardson cross but the striker headed over and then Reid’s shot was pushed out by Smith before Lescinel Jean-Francois cleared the danger.

Ferry and Jonathan Douglas both had shots blocked in quick succession as Swindon enjoyed a spell of pressure.

Reid switched on to the right and his low shot had to be put behind for a corner and it was from Gary Borrowdale’s delivery Charlton took the lead on 27 minutes.

Smith completely failed to deal with the situation and was all at sea as the ball went over him to the back post where the unfortunate Ferry applied the final touch for a bizarre own goal.

Llera tested Smith with a 30-yard free-kick as the Addicks quickly looked to add a second before Jon-Paul McGovern tried his luck from long range with a 40 yard volley which landed straight at Randolph.

Mooney played a clever ball through to Reid but the winger’s shot was blocked after he attempted to take on one Swindon defender too many.

Burton was unfortunate to see his 45th minute header just sail over the bar after he met a delightful cross from Jose Semedo.

Charlton got a crucial second three minutes into first half stoppage time when Reid broke clear down the left and pulled it into the path of an unmarked Mooney, who fired home from 15 yards.

There was still time for Paynter to head over after Ward flicked McGovern’s free-kick into his path but it was the Addicks who went in two goals to the good at the midway point and seemingly on their way to Wembley.

With so much at stake, it was no surprise both sides started the second half at a high tempo and although Swindon took the game to the hosts, they failed to cause them any real problems in the final third.

Swindon’s frustration was perfectly summed up on 58 minutes when McGovern’s cross from the right landed in the visiting fans sat in the Jimmy Seed stand as opposed to the Charlton penalty area.

But they came close moments later when Charlie Austin got through, who was only to be denied by the quick thinking of Randolph.

The visitors made their second change when Alan O’Brien came on for Paynter in the 64th minute.

Austin tested Randolph again with a powerful shot seconds later but the Swindon striker was in an offside position and the flag went up.

Charlton then made their first substitution on 66 minutes later before Swindon suffered a major blow when Greer was handed a red card for going in studs up on Burton.

Mooney came close to making it three when the ball was headed back into his path by a Swindon defender but the angle wasn’t the best and the Irish striker couldn’t convert the chance.

Kevin Amankwaah came on Ferry as Danny Wilson used his final substitution, while Bailey should have done better when he cheaply gave possession away as Charlton launched a counter attack.

It was from this mistake Swindon got themselves back on level terms in the tie as the action immediately swung to the other end and McGovern played through Ward, whose shot went in through the legs of Randolph.

Reid blazed over on 77 minutes from the edge and then Bailey’s 35 yard volley was deflected behind for a corner.

Burton placed an 82nd minute header straight into the hands of Smith after connecting with Richardson’s cross.

Reid’s cross two minutes later deceived everyone before being met by Mooney at the back post but his shot was drilled straight at Smith.

Mooney was replaced by Nicky Forster shortly afterwards before Reid’s 87th minute cross went just inches over the bar.

Smith did well to save Bailey’s 20 yard shot on 90 minutes before the Addicks were also reduced to 10 men in stoppage time when Llera tangled with Austin and the referee adjudged the defender was the last man.

So with the numbers and goals equal, the tie entered extra-time with the 21,521 crowd on a knife edge.

Wagstaff came close to restoring Charlton’s lead within three minutes of the restart with a low shot from 20 yards which just skimmed the outside of the post.

Racon was introduced for Reid and immediately joined Dailly in the centre of defence, with Bailey, Wagstaff and Semedo making up a three-man midfield.

Forster bore down on goal and beat two defenders before lining up a shot which was saved by Smith.

Racon’s dipping 111th minute shot almost deceived Smith, although the keeper was just able to push it over for a corner.

Richardson’s 35 yard volley was only prevented from finding the target by the post as the Addicks were again cruelly denied by the woodwork.

Both sides were still level at the midway point of extra-time and fears the game would be decided by a penalty shootout began to increase.

Dailly had a lucky escape within seconds of play recommencing when he only half cleared O’Brien’s initial effort.

A Swindon counter ended with Ward firing just wide of the post after he beat the offside trap as the tension grew.

Austin fired over on 112 minutes and then Racon’s long range shot was deflected over for a corner at the opposite end.

Swindon were awarded a free-kick just to the right of the area near the touchline after Forster brought down Amankwaah but McGovern’s delivery in was confidently headed away by Dailly.

Burton really should have scored when picked out by Wagstaff but his shot on the turn went inches wide of the post.

That was the last real chance in open play so The Valley faithful settled down to see their Wembley dreams settled by penalties.

Burton was first up and fired into the bottom corner to make it 1-0.

McGovern also placed his shot into the same corner (1-1).

Bailey handed Swindon the advantage when he blazed his attempt over the bar (1-1).

Austin capitalised on the mistake to put the visitors in front (1-2).

Forster gave Charlton hope by sending Lucas the wrong way (2-2).

Amankwaah just beat Randolph to edge Swindon closer to victory (2-3).

Dailly kept his nerve to fire home (3-3).

Ward stepped up to maintain Swindon’s narrow advantage (3-4).

Richardson knew he had to score to keep Charlton’s hopes alive and did so in style (4-4).

So it was left to Darby to settle the encounter and he sent Randolph the wrong way to ensure Charlton will have to spend another season in English football’s third tier.

Football is indeed a very cruel game.

Charlton: Randolph, Richardson, Llera, Dailly, Borrowdale, Sam (Wagstaff 66), Bailey, Semedo, Reid (Racon 95), Mooney (Forster 85), Burton. Subs not used: Elliot, Racon, Solly, A Sodje, Fry. Att: 21,521.