AFC Wimbledon edge closer to relegation after 1-1 draw against 10-man Charlton

AFC Wimbledon and Charlton Athletic played out a 1-1 draw at Plough Lane on Tuesday evening as the game finally took place at the third time of asking.

Despite playing 34 minutes of the second-half down to 10-men after Ryan Inniss’ red card, the Addicks took the lead through Jayden Stockley’s well-taken ferocious header in the 69th minute.

But Zach Robinson was free like a bird at the far post to nod home Ethan Chislett’s cross with three minutes to go as Wimbledon ended a dire run of six defeats on the bounce.

But it’s a point which serves neither side as Charlton remain 15th in the league table while Dons are third from bottom and four points shy of Morecambe, who occupy the last safety spot with a return to League Two edging ever closer after a 22-game winless streak.

Until Stockley’s headed finish, there was nothing to separate Wimbledon and Charlton Athletic after 45 minutes.

Charlton carved out a couple of opportunities but couldn’t score while clear-cut chances were at a premium for the embattled Plough Lane outfit until after Inniss’ red card on 56 minutes.

The game was only five minutes old when Dons defender Will Nightingale was forced to clear Stockley’s acrobatic overhead kick off the line.

And another chance went begging for Charlton seven minutes later when Diallang Jaiysimi fired a thunderous shot straight at goalkeeper Nik Tzanev from range as Dons got away with some static defending.

And the Addicks’ wasted chance count continued to rise when Northern Irishman Conor Washington’s attempted lob after racing clear went well over the crossbar.

Barring two weak attempts from outside the box by Jack Rudoni, Wimbledon, managed by ex-Charlton player Mark Bowen, were too passive and not at the races.

But it was a different narrative in the second period, not least after Inniss was sent off for a reckless challenge on George Marsh.

The ex-Crystal Palace defender’s sending off injected confidence in the hosts as the complexion of the game changed.

Former Portsmouth stopper produced two terrific saves either side of Stockley’s header.

He first kept out Paul Osew’s low drilled effort, before his teammates broke the deadlock when Stockley sent a free bullet header into the roof of the net from Adam Matthews’ delivery.

And then he superbly tipped a venomous header over the top as Charlton were hanging in.

But not for long as Chislett picked out Robinson at the far post to level the contest.

Dons pushed for the winner and it was backs against the walls for Charlton in the dying minutes but Johnnie Jackson’s men hung on to secure a share of the spoils.