Millwall stretched their unbeaten run over Charlton to 12 games as Jake Cooper’s late goal sealed three points in a feisty London derby.

The win keep’s the Lions’ play-off hopes alive and keeps the home side looking over their shoulders.

A win would have moved Charlton six points clear of the drop zone, but they couldn’t make the most of a strong second half performance.

There were seven changes for the home side, as Bowyer returned to the XI that secured Charlton back to back wins against Hull City and QPR at the beginning of the restart. Meanwhile Ryan

As the drizzle set in on a cold night at the Valley, both sides endeavoured to make sure the game had a derby feeling, as it started frantically with plenty of challenges flying in.

Millwall took the initiative, dominating most of the play. Ryan Woods impressed from his deep lying play marker role, acting as a metronome for the away side as they searched for an opening.

With Matt Smith back in the side, the Lions were looking to test the Charlton defence with plenty of high balls.

It was certainly a physical battle for Pearce and Lockyer, while Smith was frustrated as a number of appeals for fouls were waved away by referee Dean Whitestone.

There were chances at either end, as both Bartosz Bialkowski and Dillon Phillips pulled off impressive saves for their sides.

The Polish stopper denied Macauley Bonne well in a one on one on 32 minutes, while at the other end, Phillips was off his line quickly to block Jed Wallace’s close-range effort, after the Millwall wingers met a delightful chip from Woods.

Despite the Lions possession, it will be Charlton who were disappointed not to go in ahead at half time; both Aiden McGeady and Tomer Hemed missing the target with efforts late in the half.

The break seemed to take a bit of sting out of the game, as sloppy mistakes crept in for both sides, neither finding their rhythm.

Charlton had the first sight of goal as Oshilaja’s whipped cross was headed just wide. The hosts continued to threaten the Millwall goal, finding space in front of the Millwall defence but failing to make it pay.

As Charlton started to dominted they couldn’t quite find the breakthrough. Substitute Chuks Aneke saw his near post effort saved by Bialkowski on 66 minutes.

Rowett’s changes made an impact as he looked to regain control over proceedings. Reverting to his 5-2-3, Millwall began to come into the second half.

And it was Jake Cooper who gave Millwall the lead in the 81st minute. Substitute Connor Mahoney did well to work the ball onto his right foot and Dillon Phillips could only parry his powerful effort.

Cooper, finding himself in unchartered territory, latched onto the rebound and powered home to give the visitors a late lead.

Charlton threw bodies forward in a bid to find a leveller but their high balls into the box were dealt with by Millwall’s towering centre backs.

The three points keeps Millwall’s play-off hopes alive, Rowett will be pleased with his side’s reaction to a difficult second half. Charlton, however, remain just three points outside the relegation zone with the in-form chasing pack still to play this weekend.

 

Teams:

Millwall: Bialkowski; Romeo (Mitchell 75), Hutchinson, Pearce, Cooper, M. Wallace; Leonard (Mahoney 75), Woods, Molumby (Thompson 45); J. Wallace (Williams 86), Smith (Bradshaw 64).

Subs: Steele, Ferguson, Skalak, Burey.

Charlton Athletic: Phillips; Matthews, Pearce, Lockyer, Oshilaja (Doughty 75); McGeady (Williams 75), Pratley (Sarr 89), Cullen, Morgan (Field); Bonne (Aneke 64), Hemed.

Subs: Amos, Purrington, Forster-Caskey, Green.