Millar fires Charlton to victory over Dons

Liam Millar's first-half strike was enough as a well-drilled Charlton side beat MK Dons at Stadium MK.

In a game with little between the sides, Charlton took advantage of a man over when Millar was picked out by Conor Washington's cross after 18 minutes, and from there were able to control Dons in the midfield to limit them to very little.

Despite twice hitting the frame of the goal, Dons' best chance fell to Ethan Laird in the second period but he was unable to slip the ball under keeper Ben Amos.

New signings Harry Darling and Matt O'Riley came straight into the starting line-up as the only two changes from last Tuesday's 3-1 win over Fleetwood Town, replacing Regan Poole and Lasse Sorensen. Three former Dons were in the Charlton squad, but there was no room for two-time Player of the Season Alex Gilbey for the Addicks.

The first half was a scrappy affair, far from the enthralling all-action encounter at The Valley earlier in the season. With both sides feeling each other out in the opening 15 minutes, Charlton found their stride sooner and after Darren Pratley wasted a good chance, Liam Millar was left unmarked at the far post to convert Conor Washington's cross after 18 minutes.

From there, Dons showed a few more signs of life but while they weren't playing especially badly, nor were they in commanding form over the visitors.

Joe Mason and Cameron Jerome were quiet in the opening half but after scoring a hat-trick last Tuesday, Mason's header from O'Riley's corner clipped the bottom of the post in their best chance of the half.

The woodwork would come to Charlton's rescue again in the second half as the home side looked more like themselves and dictated the show as they went seeking the equaliser.

Charlton remained dogged in midfield and restricted Ben Gladwin and Scott Fraser – both of whom were limited to free-kick efforts, while Warren O'Hora landed a header on the top of the woodwork.

Ethan Laird had the best chance of the half when he was slid in by Dean Lewington but couldn't get the ball under Amos' dive, while at the other end, the excellent Millar was denied a second by the feet of Fisher.

Dons could well have snatched an equaliser with the last kick of the game when substitute Charlie Brown broke clear on the left, but his cut-back was just out of Fraser's reach.

Referee: Dean Whitestone

MK Dons: Fisher, Lewington, Darling, O'Hora, Laird (Sorinola 81), Harvie (Poole 81), Gladwin (Brown 81), Fraser, O'Riley (Thompson 64), Mason, Jerome

Subs not used: Nicholls, Sorensen, Johnson

Charlton Athletic: Amos, Gunter, Purrington, Oshilaja, Forster-Caskey, Stockley (Aneke 68), Shinnie (Morgan 68), Washington (Schwartz 50), Pratley, Matthews, Millar (Pearce 90)

Subs not used: Maynard-Brewer, Williams, Watson