Banks earns Latics another big win

Photo: Alan Howarth

GOAL . . . Ollie Banks

ATHLETIC 1, CHARLTON 0

AN early goal from Ollie Banks settled an entertaining clash against a pacey Charlton side in Athletic's favour.

The midfielder latched onto Chris Taylor's short pass and, from a central position 18 yards out, shaped a shot with the outside of his boot neatly into the top-left corner of goal.

Peter Clarke headed against a post from a Banks corner but with the visitors attacking at pace, from a corner close to half-time Ezri Konsa saw a header palmed behind by Connor Ripley.

Karkl Robinson's side started the second half apace and Josh Megennis headed just wide from a corner, before Jake Forster-Caskey forced Ripley into tipping over the bar.

Taylor forced Rudd into a low save to his left after being found by Aiden O'Neill.

But Ripley was the busier goalkeeper and he had to make two terrific late stops from Lee Novak and Patrick Bauer from corners to preserve three valuable points.