Report: Shrewsbury 0 Charlton 3: Addicks close gap on top-two with impressive win

Taylor opened the scoring before second-half strikes from Pratley and Grant wrapped up the points for the Addicks.

The result sees Charlton close the gap on the top-two to three points after Sunderland, who drew 1-1 with the Addicks last weekend, played out a stalemate against Luton today.

Lee Bowyer handed full debuts to January signings Jonny Williams and Ben Purrington at the expense of Tariqe Fosu and Anfernee Dijksteel.

Both sides had openings early on as Josh Laurent’s looping volley fell just wide before Grant tested Shrews goalkeeper Steve Arnold with a curling effort.

Dillon Phillips came to Charlton’s rescue in the 20th minute when his feet kept out Laurent from close-range.

And that save would pay dividends as Charlton took the lead six minutes later thanks to Taylor’s 15th goal of the season. The striker was alert to tap in from a yard out after Luke Waterfall had diverted a corner on to a post.

Phillips was on hand again for the Addicks just before the break when he tipped Ryan Haynes’ fierce strike around the post.

Charlton had a golden opportunity to double their advantage shortly after the restart. Grant latched on to a horrendous Ollie Norburn back-pass but fired straight at Arnold.

The youngster could have redeemed himself moments later, however, his subtle dink drifted wide.

Grant’s misses did not come back to haunt the visitors as Pratley’s thunderous 16-yard strike riffled into the top corner on 54 minutes.

Bowyer’s men could have had a third when substitute George Lapslie’s cross was turned wide by Taylor.

Charlton went close to scoring again through Grant and Patrick Bauer in a one-sided second-half before the former won and converted a penalty 11 minutes from time.

Charlton XI: Phillips, Solly, Bauer, Sarr, Purrington, Bielik (Dijksteel, 81), Pratley, Morgan (Lapslie, 58), Williams (Marshall, 77), Grant, Taylor.

Subs not used: Maxwell, Fosu, Clarke, Hackett-Fairchild.