Derby County strengthened their play-off ambitions with a gritty 2-1 victory at Charlton Athletic, a result built on an early own goal, Bobby Clark’s composed second-half finish and a crucial late save from emergency goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell. Tyreece Campbell’s reply gave the hosts hope, but the Rams held on despite Matt Clarke’s late red card to claim a rare success in the capital.
Macaulay Gillesphey’s unfortunate own goal handed Derby the lead after a bright Charlton start, and Clark’s strike on the hour ultimately proved decisive on a night when both sides created chances. Campbell, Charlton’s liveliest attacker, dragged his team back into contention with a fine curling effort, only for veteran keeper O’Donnell to deny Gillesphey at the death before Clarke was dismissed for a second bookable offence.
For Derby, it was a seventh away win of the season and their first in London since 2021, continuing a run of back-to-back victories on the road under John Eustace. Nathan Jones was left to rue what he felt were avoidable goals and ongoing difficulties in keeping clean sheets, even as he praised Charlton’s second-half performance.
Late goalkeeper change and Dykes’s debut set early tone