Leaburn at the double as Charlton end Wycombe's long unbeaten run to raise optimism levels
Charlton Athletic (0) 2 Leaburn 46, 52
Wycombe Wanderers (0) 1 Kone 84
Five games undefeated in the league. It doesn't sound much, but at least it suggests some sort of progress and the play-off spots are back within sight.
Two goals in six minutes at the start of the second half from Miles Leaburn set the Addicks on their way to a victory which might just prove pivotal in terms of their season.
The first was a smart bit of penalty area poaching, the second was an exquisite lob over the keeper from the edge of the area taking him to eight goals for the season.
Nathan Jones' outfit were expected to be among the high flyers at this stage, but it has been a very slow burn. However, a Boxing Day win against Cambridge - albeit slender - which followed a 5-0 thumping of Northampton, has raised hopes that the second half of the season will finally see that pick up of pace that ends in a serious promotion bid.
No-one at this under-achieving club can be satisfied with anything less. Certainly that would have been the case for Alan Curbishley, who was pitchside before kick-off to wave to the fans who will always adore him. The man with a stand named after him.
Wycombe are a good barometer for the Addicks' ambitions. They arrived undefeated in the league since August - a run of 19 games. They hadn't lost away since the opening day at Wrexham and lost only twice all season in League One. Theirs is a strong, physical side under Matt Bloomfield.
Not much happened before the break. Tyreece Campbell worked his way to the byline before clipping the ball back for Luke Berry, who scuffed a shot into the palms of Argentinian keeper Franco Ravizzoli from close range.
But danger was absent at both ends of the field, even if Thierry Small had the beating of left back Dan Harvie with his pace, promising another avenue of attack.
The game needed a goal to spark it to life and the second half had barely got under way when Leaburn hooked in a cross from the right by Josh Edwards.
His second was more spectacular. Racing on to a pass from deep from Berry, he had the composure to steady himself and lift the ball over an onrushing Ravizzoli.
Fans were chanting an amended version of Wham's Last Christmas..."This year I'll give it to Miles Leaburn" went the punchline about where they would be giving their hearts.
Bloomfield sent on top scorer Richard Kone. It was puzzling that the Ivory Coast striker did not start. It was he who managed to create some uncertainty at the end by drilling in from the edge of the area with six minutes left - setting up a grandstand finish.
But the visitors' extra energy did not quite translate into a glut of chances and the solid Addicks defence stood firm. They don't concede many under Jones.
Addicks: (4-2-3-1) Maynard-Brewer - Mitchell, Jones, Gillesphey, Edwards - Coventry, Docherty - Small, Berry (Anderson 78), Tyreece Campbell - Leaburn (Ahadme 82)
Chairboys: (4-1-3-2) Ravizzoli - Grimmer, Low, Taylor, Harvie - Morley - Bakinson (Scowen 64), Humphreys, Lubala (Kone 56) - Udoh (Kodua 64), McCleary (Onyedinma 56)
Attendance: 15,544
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