Doncaster Rovers 1 Charlton Athletic 2 - Late consolation keeps Rovers' Wembley hopes alive

Strikes from Joe Aribo and Lyle Taylor put Lee Bowyer's Addicks in the box seat, although late food for thought was thankfully provided by Matty Blair, who reduced the arrears late on to give Rovers some semblance of hope ahead of the second meeting on Friday.

Blair nodded in from close range following Mallik Wilks' deflected cross to provide Rovers with a lifeline on an occasion when they were second best in the main.

Backed by a big 3,700 travelling contingent, Charlton were not short in the support stakes and had the ball in the net on eight minutes, only for Oliver Langford to rule out Josh Parker's effort for an earlier foul on Andy Butler.

Rovers' first salvo saw James Coppinger, in his 50th game of the season and 621st for the club, fire wide.

Encouragement arrived for both sides in a watchable opening before the Addicks spurned a glorious chance to draw first blood on 21 minutes when Josh Parker, still seeking his first goal in Charlton colours following his January move from Gillingham - headed wide with the goal at his mercy following a fine cross from Ben Purrington, on loan from Rotherham United.

Soon after, Coppinger's excellent drive brought out the best in Dillon Phillips, who turned away his 20-yarder effort at full stretch.

The breakthrough then arrived courtesy of Charlton's main man in Taylor.

The one-time Sheffield United forward - shortly after seeing his low shot bring out a smart reaction save from Marko Marosi - fared better moments later when pressure saw him nod in Josh Cullen's pull-back from close range.

The goal stood despite home appeals for offside, with replays showing that Cullen was played onside after the ball came to him via a deflection off the head of Andy Butler.

Charlton showed turned the screw further with good play from Morgan and Taylor set up Aribo, whose shot beat Marosi far too easily.

The Rovers' custodian made amends when he made a stunning finger-tip to deny Morgan, with the hosts on the ropes and looking vulnerable against a Addicks side with pace and devilment on the break.

Rovers, who replaced Coppinger with Tommy Rowe at the break, desperately sought a breakthrough on the restart, with Marquis bundling a close-range into the side-netting after Butler's initial effort was blocked on the line by Cullen.

The hosts huffed and puffed with Ben Whiteman firing wildly over when well placed, but Charlton were able to play out the second half in relative comfort with the polish which they showed in the first half replaced by professionalism on the restart.

Half-chances saw Marosi gather efforts from Purrington and Taylor before the home keeper kept out Cullen's header as the Addicks sought a tie-clinching third, with Rovers failing to make inroads at the other end.

Taylor went close to a late third for Charlton, before Rovers afforded themselves an inkling of hope, courtesy of Blair's late header, which was celebrated with gusto by the relieved Rovers following.

Doncaster Rovers: Marosi; Blair, Downing, Butler, Andrew; Whiteman, Kane; Wilks, Coppinger (Rowe 45), Sadlier (May 84); Marquis. Substitutes unused: Jones, Crawford, Anderson, Smith, Lewis.

Charlton Athletic: Phillips; Djiksteel, Bauer, Sarr, Purrington; Bielik, Cullen, Morgan (Pratley 61), Aribo; Taylor, Parker (Pearce 67). Substitutes unused: Maxwell, Page, Lapslie, Forster-Caskey, Williams.

Referee: O Langford (West Midlands).