Windass penalty earns Wrexham victory over Charlton

Josh Windass joined Wrexham as a free agent in the summer

Josh Windass netted a late penalty as Wrexham beat Charlton Athletic to earn a third successive home win in the Championship.

Nathan Jones' men had the better chances in what was an even opening half at the Stok Cae Ras - with Harvey Knibbs firing against the crossbar.

But the Welsh side carried the greater threat in the second half and had the game's decisive moment on 77 minutes as Windass scored his fifth goal of the season from the spot after Onel Hernández was penalised for a handball.

Victory extended Wrexham's unbeaten Championship run to five matches as Charlton's own five-game unbeaten streak in the league was ended.

Ahead of kick-off, Phil Parkinson spoke about the "edge" between the sides as a result of the battles the pair had in the third tier last season - and the home fans aimed several chants at Addicks boss Nathan Jones from the outset.

The hosts survived a real scare just 40 seconds into the contest though as Isaac Olaofe was unable to prod the ball home after Sonny Carey's effort was saved by Arthur Okonkwo.

Wrexham settled and had their best opening on 17 minutes as Kieffer Moore teed up Max Cleworth from Issa Kabore's cross - with goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski tipping the defender's shot over.

Fresh from earning praise for his display in Wrexham's stalemate at Portsmouth three days earlier, Okonkwo reacted well to keep out James Bree's strike with his legs.

In truth, both sides lacked a ruthless instinct in the final third, although the hosts were let off the hook in the 36th minute as Knibbs lashed against the crossbar from eight yards out after Dom Hyam slipped in his own box.

At the other end, Nathan Broadhead dragged a shot wide before Ryan Longman blazed over from a tight angle as the score remained level at the break.

Parkinson's men looked to turn the screw after the restart as Moore flashed a header across goal from George Thomason's inviting corner - with Longman firing well over soon after.

Josh Windass, Lewis O'Brien and James McClean replaced Broadhead, Thomason and Longman midway through the second half as Charlton sent on Hernández for Knibbs.

But the turning point came 15 minutes from time as referee Leigh Douhty awarded the hosts a penalty as substitute Hernandez handled McClean's cross.

Windass slotted his spot-kick into Kaminski's bottom left corner to break the deadlock with his first home goal for the club.

The game became stretched late on as Moore was well denied by Kaminski in the final stages.

Charlton came agonisingly close to equalising in the ninth minute of added time as Okonkwo tipped Luke Berry's header over - but Wrexham ultimately held on for back-to-back league clean sheets for the first time this season to clinch all three points to rise to 13th as Charlton slipped to ninth.

Analysis: Changes key to competitiveness as Windass stars again

The most recent meeting between the sides in April saw Wrexham clinch promotion into the Championship courtesy of an emphatic 3-0 win in north Wales.

For this showdown, home fans were gifted a red and white scarf emblazoned with the slogan "back-to-back-to-back" in tribute to their trio of successive promotions.

However, only 10 of the 22 players who started that fixture 197 days earlier played from the outset this time around.

Despite the raft of changes from both clubs over the summer, both have been hugely competitive - along with fellow promoted side Birmingham City - in the second tier.

Indeed, Wrexham went into the match having lost just once in nine league games, with Charlton going one better after losing only one in 10.

Given the hectic nature of the recent schedule, both sides made a number of changes, which also typified the depth of the two squads.

But it was Windass who provided the decisive moment once again as he coolly slotted beyond Kaminski to settle the contest.

The forward has dovetailed superbly with Kieffer Moore since joining the club in the summer, and his ruthless nature at the business end of the pitch has been key.

Post-match reaction

Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson:

"It was always going to be a tough game. Charlton are a good side; they're strong and don't give much away.

"I felt we deserved to win on the balance of play.

"Enormous credit to our lads today, Pompey away on a Wednesday night and playing again today, I thought the energy levels were good. We're so pleased with the win."

Charlton Athletic boss Nathan Jones:

"It's a moment of madness that's cost us at least a point.

"I thought it was a tight game, we had a lot of chances in the first half and should have been ahead.

"It's taken that bit of madness to break the deadlock. But I'm proud of the group for what they've given me because I can't ask for any more."