Grant strikes at the death as Charlton get revenge over Shrewsbury

Posted Sunday, August 12, 2018 by PA

Karlan Grant grabbed a dramatic 90th minute winner to give Charlton revenge for last year’s play-off defeat at the hands of Shrewsbury.

The honours looked set to be shared after Lyle Taylor’s 62nd minute opener was cancelled out by Lenell John-Lewis’ leveller seven minutes from time.

But Grant had other ideas and secured the Addicks their first points of the campaign with a last-gasp header.

Alex Gilliead placed an early header straight at home keeper Dillon Phillips, while at the other end Grant curled an effort beyond the far post.

Omar Beckles should have put the visitors in front after 28 minutes but instead glanced a header wide after rising to meet Shaun Whalley’s corner.

Greg Docherty fired a shot off target after a good move and only a superbly-timed tackle inside the box by Ryan Haynes prevented Grant from pulling the trigger five minutes before the break.

Phillips got down low to keep out Aaron Amadi-Holloway’s 47th minute header and deny Shrewsbury what would have been a dream start to the second half.

Chris Solly was perfectly placed to scramble Docherty’s 55th minute shot off the line, while Beckles saw a goalbound effort deflected behind by team-mate Gilliead as the visitors continued to press.

However, it was Charlton who opened the scoring on 62 minutes, as Taylor rose high to head home from George Lapslie’s right-wing cross.

Grant burst into the box but the ball was put behind for a corner.

Parity was restored seven minutes from time when substitute John-Lewis got on the end of Gilliead’s delivery to head past Phillips.

The goal lifted last year’s beaten play-off finalists and they were unfortunate to have nobody to get on the end of Whalley’s dangerous 86th minute ball.

But just as five minutes of added time were signalled, Darren Pratley put in a cross from the right which was deftly headed in by Grant to break Shrewsbury hearts.