Charlton 0-1 Wycombe

By Chris Bevan

Wycombe celebrate Jermaine Easter's goal

League Two side Wycombe Wanderers shocked Premiership strugglers Charlton by beating them at The Valley to reach the semi-finals of the Carling Cup.

Addicks keeper Scott Carson had already made two good saves before Wycombe took the lead, Jermaine Easter driving the ball home with a fierce 25-yard shot.

Charlton improved after the break but failed to create any clear-cut chances.

Amdy Faye's scuffed shot was the best effort from the home side and it is Wycombe who progress to the last-four.

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Addicks boss Les Reed has now won only one of his seven games in charge since he succeeded Iain Dowie last month and his job is already under threat.

He was frequently booed here but, judging from the frequent chants from Charlton supporters of 'you're not fit to wear the shirt', most of the fans' ire is currently directed at the players.

Fifty-three places may separate the two sides in the League but you would not have guessed who were the top-flight team early on.

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Wycombe had already won at one Premiership ground in this competition this season - when they overcame Fulham in the second round - and they were full of confidence from the off.

Carson, back in goal for Charlton after missing Saturday's home defeat by Liverpool because of the terms of his loan from the Anfield outfit, was pushed into action early on.

First Stefan Oakes tested him with a stinging free-kick, and he had to push away two Easter drives in quick succession.

Still Wycombe came forward and it was Welsh under-21 striker Easter who put them ahead before half-time to maintain his record of having scored in every round of his side's Carling Cup run.

Carson was left exposed again and this time he was helpless as Easter latched on to a loose ball 25 yards out and smashed home a fierce low drive.

Charlton did up the ante after the break with the visitors visibly tiring.

Reed's side were suddenly winning the midfield battles they had surrended earlier - but, for all their possession, clear-cut chances were still few and far between for the home side.

Faye shot wide from Darren Bent's cutback but that was the closest Reed's men came to a leveller.

The pressure increased when Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink was thrown on as a third striker but Wycombe battled on and they survived to claim a famous victory.

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Charlton: Carson, Sankofa (Hasselbaink 74), Fortune, Diawara, Traore, Rommedahl, Faye (Holland 69), Hughes, Thomas (Sam 70), Marcus Bent, Darren Bent.
Subs Not Used: Myhre, El Karkouri.

Booked: Hughes.

Wycombe: Young, Martin, Antwi, Williamson, O'Halloran, Betsy, Grant (Palmer 63), Bloomfield, Oakes, Easter, Mooney (Stonebridge 87).
Subs Not Used: Christon, Dixon, Anya.

Booked: Grant, Easter.

Goals: Easter 35.

Att: 18,940

Ref: M Clattenburg (Co Durham).