Kevin Nolan’s big-match verdict as Charlton’s decision to rest players for FA Cup does not have instant result

BLACKPOOL 2
Gnanduillet 16 Delfouneso 87
CHARLTON 1
Aribo 55
BY KEVIN NOLAN AT BLOOMFIELD ROAD

In wild and woolly conditions whistling over uninvited from “that dear land across the Irish Sea” but considered clement by locals in this weatherbeaten stretch of England’s North West coast, Charlton’s promotion credentials were severely tested and found wanting by fellow contenders Blackpool.

Before the frozen visitors thawed out and warmed to their task, most of a one-sided first half had slipped away, at the end of which they found themselves a crucial goal in arrears.

The Addicks’ lethargy at the start of games has become a chronic problem. Not for the first time in this stuttering season, their casual, backfoot approach allowed an average side to dominate the early exchanges before raising themselves from their torpor.

By the time Joe Aribo finished a surgically precise move to equalise early in the second half, it seemed they had worked through their self-doubt and were poised to take complete control.

Unfortunately, the Tangerines had similar aspirations and filched victory through substitute Nathan Delfouneso’s clinical 87th minute strike. Disappointment and frustration were again on the agenda at a cavernous, underpopulated Bloomfield Road.

Charlton’s failure to secure even one point called into question again the wisdom of Lee Bowyer’s decision to name a sub-standard team to face Doncaster Rovers in the FA Cup and rest his key players for this awkward away fixture.

Saturday’s line-up featured only one starter – George Lapslie – from the side which half-heartedly succumbed to Rovers while including full league debutant Toby Stevenson in the unresolved position of left-back, where he was preferred to Naby Sarr.

If the point of the wholesale changes was to prioritise league over cup, it’s fairly obvious that the point was missed. For nearly a disastrous half hour, supposedly refreshed Charlton were dismal.

Constantly caught in possession, second to every loose ball, uncommitted in the tackle, they operated in a tactical fog. Having played their strongest side at The Valley last week, Doncaster were, meanwhile, dismantling Bristol Rovers 4-0 at Eastville. With a full week separating their cup and league commitments, they apparently saw no reason to tinker with their selections. Likewise Blackpool who deployed their heavy hitters at Solihull Moors, ground out a scoreless draw and now face the enticing prospect of facing Arsenal in the third round. Feel free to draw your own conclusions.

It was hardly a shock, given the tenuous circumstances, that the Seasiders underlined their embarrassing superiority by seizing an important lead.

Given scant support from a barely interested Tarique Fosu, young rookie Stevenson had struggled to counter Liam Feeney’s persistent threat on the right flank. Unopposed as he picked up Chris Taylor’s pass, the elusive winger drilled over a hard, low cross which was parried by Jed Steer but turned past the unprotected keeper from six yards by Armand Gnanduillet.

Alert and defiant, Steer had risen above the general malaise in front of him. His fine save from Joe Dodoo kept the visitors in the hunt while luck was on his side when Dodoo squandered an excellent chance to double the lead by blazing wide though well placed to score.

Another magnificent stop from Steer kept out Curtis Tilt’s point-blank header before the break while Lyle Taylor’s first-minute curler, turned aside smartly by Mark Howard, was the best the Addicks had to offer.

The second session offered immediate hope as Lapslie bustled through to improvise an effort which was blocked as far as Grant, whose awkward attempt to convert the rebound bobbled weakly off target. It was clearly Blackpool’s lucky day when Tilt, already booked for fouling Fosu, was generously spared a second yellow after being penalised for blatantly wrestling Taylor to the ground.

Almost immediately, the pugnacious skipper was judiciously replaced by Paudie O’Connor.

Suddenly alert to the change in momentum, Charlton duly fashioned a fine equaliser 10 minutes after resumption. A determined solo break carried Krystian Bielik deep into the home half and was capped by his precise pass to Grant on his right. The striker’s quick release set up an onrushing Aribo to score from close range and Charlton’s prospects were abruptly rosy.

With a useful point by now the least of their ambitions, the Addicks went toe-toe with their rattled hosts.

Lapslie’s terrific recovery tackle on Dodoo was critical to their recovery before Grant went close with a 25-yard potshot and Donervon Daniels responded by shaving Steer’s crossbar from a similar distance. The aggressive right-back’s effort promised to bring down the curtain on a mutually rewarding stand-off until Delfouneso had the last and most important word.

Coolly picking his spot on the end of an incisive attack, his crisp low drive found the bottom left corner, with the visiting defence cut to immobile ribbons.

Odd how winning chases away weariness. Odd too how jaded the feeling when you’ve lost.

Charlton (4-4-2): Steer 8,Solly 6, Bauer 6, Pearce 6, Stevenson 5, Bielik 6, Aribo 6, Lapslie 5 (Reeves 79), Fosu 4 (Marshall 70, 6). Grant 5, Taylor 5. Not used: Phillips, Dijksteel, Sarr, Hackett-Fairchild.