Charlton Athletic 1 Sheffield United 0: Whistle blows on Blades bid after matching leaders

Only a week earlier, Sheffield United looked on with glee as Johnnie Jackson’s free-kick put a dent in Sheffield Wednesday’s promotion push.

But in a remarkable twist of fate, the Blades fell victim to exactly the same sucker-punch as Jackson netted again from 25 yards to secure another 1-0 victory for League One leaders Charlton Athletic.

Those six points from two fixtures with the Steel City rivals have lifted Charlton seven points clear at the top of the table. If they win their game in hand against Bury it will be an even bigger 10-point lead.

Maybe Gary Megson, the manager of Wednesday, was talking sense after all last weekend when he conceded the title to the Addicks.

It is certainly hard to imagine Chris Powell’s side throwing away their advantage now.

Blades manager Danny Wilson, however, opted not to comment when this correspondent asked if he felt the same way as Megson on the issue. But take it from me, he does not.

Although Saturday’s result had not gone Wilson’s way, there was still plenty of evidence in his side’s performance to suggest they are as good if not better than the Addicks.

They were also denied a legitimate ‘equaliser’ by a shocking refereeing decision when Charlton goalkeeper Ben Hamer dropped the ball over his own goalline.

Powell celebrated victory at the end as if Charlton had just won the Champions League.

Not once but three times, did he reappear from the tunnel to salute his adoring fans.

He admitted, afterwards, that two points – let alone six – from his side’s two meetings with the Sheffield clubs last week would have been viewed as a ‘great return.’

Significantly, if they had lost both games, they would have been off the top of the table for the first time this season.

“These victories have been outstanding,” he said. “I think people would have regarded four points or two points as a great return but my players this season have hit the heights in a lot of games when we have been tested and questions have been asked of us.

“It shows exactly what my squad is about and for them to get six points is a superb return from the week.

“But there are 20 games to go,” he stressed. “There is still a long way but we are putting ourselves in a really good position.

“We ended Huddersfield’s superb run, we did it last week against Sheffield Wednesday, and we did it again today,” he said. “We have answered questions against the teams around us.

“We are in the position now where we want to be and it’s up to us to handle that. If we carry on the way we are going, we will get where we want to get.”

The Blades faced an unchanged Charlton line-up and were out to avenge a 2-0 defeat at Bramall Lane earlier in the season.

But when Neill Collins conceded a free-kick for allegedly pushing Charlton’s Danny Hollands after 20 minutes, it opened the door for Jackson to do to the Blades exactly what he had done to the Owls.

Jackson, once again, stepped up to the plate and curled a peach of a shot over the wall and into the top corner of the net.

A foul by Rhoys Wiggins on Ched Evans gave Lee Williamson an opportunity to shoot from a free-kick but goalkeeper Hamer pushed the ball around the post.

Hamer was far less impressive just before the interval when he fumbled a Williamson corner and dropped the ball over the line.

Blades supporters at the opposite end of the ground were largely unaware of the contoversy but referee Darren Deadman spared Hamer’s blushes by awarding a free-kick against United’s Harry Maguire for a push on a Charlton defender.

It was a harsh decision. A wrong decision, according to Blades manager Wilson.

Hamer often looked vulnerable at crosses and, in the second half, was extremely lucky not be punished by Evans for another spill.

The Blades striker shot over the bar with Hamer scrambling back to his line.

The Blades had looked the better side in the second half but both sides struggled to test the goalkeeper.

As the clock ticked towards the final whistle, a challenge by substitute Darrel Russell on Kevin McDonald sparked angry scenes.

Russell was sent off for the foul and Blades substitute James Beattie was sent off for grabbing Yann Kermorgant by the throat. Kermorgant was only booked for dragging Matt Lowton by the shirt collar.

Once again, referee Deadman had made a hash of a major incident although, by this stage, the game was probably over.

Charlton’s stadium announcer clearly prefers the Blades to the Owls. Before the match, he took great delight in reflecting on his club’s victory over ‘massive’ Sheffield Wednesday.

He referred to the ‘Wendys’ slipping up against Hartlepool United and, just to emphasise his bias, spoke of meeting the Blades again in the Championship next season!

Now, now. Let’s not get carried away anybody.