Preston North End came from behind to claim a 2–1 victory over Charlton Athletic on Championship matchday 42, overturning an early setback with a sharp attacking display led by Brad Potts and Lewis Dobbin.
The hosts struck first on 18 minutes when Joe Rankin-Costello put Charlton 1–0 up, giving them an ideal platform in a crucial late-season fixture. That advantage lasted just seven minutes, however, as Preston responded through Lewis Dobbin.
Dobbin levelled the contest in the 25th minute, finishing after being picked out by Potts to make it 1–1 and swing the momentum back towards the visitors.
Charlton’s evening became more complicated when Lloyd Jones was booked in the 33rd minute, followed by a yellow card for Lyndon Dykes ten minutes into the second half, as the home side battled to regain control.
Preston completed the turnaround in the 65th minute. This time Potts took centre stage as the scorer, converting with Dobbin turning provider to put the visitors 2–1 ahead. The goal ultimately proved decisive.
Both managers turned to their benches in search of a late edge. Charlton introduced Matt Godden, Ibrahim Fullah and later Miles Leaburn and Luke Berry, while Preston brought on Jordan Thompson, Milutin Osmajić, Liam Lindsay and Andrija Vukčević to help see out the result.
Preston’s defensive discipline was tested in the closing stages, with yellow cards shown to Odel Offiah (68′), Ben Whiteman (71′) and goalkeeper Daniel Iversen (90′), but the visitors held firm to protect their narrow lead.
The win marks an important three points for Preston in the Championship run-in, while Charlton are left to reflect on a promising start that ultimately slipped away. More detailed statistical data from the match has not been provided in the official summary.
Full match details and context can be found on the Ballaxy match centre: Charlton vs Preston North End.
Championship Standings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Coventry City FC
|
46 | 28 | 11 | 7 | 97 | 45 | 52 | 95 | W W W D D |
| 2 |
Ipswich Town FC
|
46 | 23 | 15 | 8 | 80 | 47 | 33 | 84 | W D D W D |
| 3 |
Millwall FC
|
46 | 24 | 11 | 11 | 64 | 49 | 15 | 83 | W D W W D |
| 4 |
Southampton FC
|
46 | 22 | 14 | 10 | 82 | 56 | 26 | 80 | W D D W W |
| 5 |
Middlesbrough FC
|
46 | 22 | 14 | 10 | 72 | 47 | 25 | 80 | D W W D L |
| 6 |
Hull City AFC
|
46 | 21 | 10 | 15 | 70 | 66 | 4 | 73 | W L D D L |
| 7 |
Wrexham AFC
|
46 | 19 | 14 | 13 | 69 | 65 | 4 | 71 | D L W W L |
| 8 |
Derby County FC
|
46 | 20 | 9 | 17 | 67 | 59 | 8 | 69 | L W L W L |
| 9 |
Norwich City FC
|
46 | 19 | 8 | 19 | 63 | 56 | 7 | 65 | L D W W L |
| 10 |
Birmingham City FC
|
46 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 57 | 56 | 1 | 64 | D W W D W |
| 11 |
Swansea City AFC
|
46 | 18 | 10 | 18 | 57 | 59 | -2 | 64 | W D W L W |
| 12 |
Bristol City FC
|
46 | 17 | 11 | 18 | 59 | 59 | 0 | 62 | W L D L D |
| 13 |
Sheffield United FC
|
46 | 18 | 6 | 22 | 66 | 66 | 0 | 60 | W L L W W |
| 14 |
Preston North End FC
|
46 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 55 | 62 | -7 | 60 | L W L L W |
| 15 |
Queens Park Rangers FC
|
46 | 16 | 10 | 20 | 61 | 73 | -12 | 58 | L L L L D |
| 16 |
Watford FC
|
46 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 53 | 65 | -12 | 57 | L L L L L |
| 17 |
Stoke City FC
|
46 | 15 | 10 | 21 | 51 | 56 | -5 | 55 | L L L L D |
| 18 |
Portsmouth FC
|
46 | 14 | 13 | 19 | 49 | 64 | -15 | 55 | D W L W W |
| 19 |
Charlton Athletic FC
|
46 | 13 | 14 | 19 | 44 | 58 | -14 | 53 | L W L D L |
| 20 |
Blackburn Rovers FC
|
46 | 13 | 13 | 20 | 42 | 56 | -14 | 52 | L W D L D |
| 21 |
West Bromwich Albion FC
|
46 | 13 | 14 | 19 | 48 | 58 | -10 | 51 | L D W W D |
| 22 |
Oxford United FC
|
46 | 11 | 14 | 21 | 45 | 59 | -14 | 47 | L W L L W |
| 23 |
Leicester City FC
|
46 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 58 | 68 | -10 | 46 | W D D L L |
| 24 |
Sheffield Wednesday FC
|
46 | 2 | 12 | 32 | 29 | 89 | -60 | 0 | W L L D D |
