Wrexham 1-0 Charlton Athletic: Josh Windass penalty earns hosts victory

Ahead of kick-off, Phil Parkinson spoke about the “edge” between the sides as a result of the battles the pair had in the third tier last season – and the home fans aimed several chants at Addicks boss Nathan Jones from the outset.

The hosts survived a real scare just 40 seconds into the contest though as Isaac Olaofe was unable to prod the ball home after Sonny Carey’s effort was saved by Arthur Okonkwo.

Wrexham settled and had their best opening on 17 minutes as Kieffer Moore teed up Max Cleworth from Issa Kabore’s cross – with goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski tipping the defender’s shot over.

Fresh from earning praise for his display in Wrexham’s stalemate at Portsmouth three days earlier, Okonkwo reacted well to keep out James Bree’s strike with his legs.

In truth, both sides lacked a ruthless instinct in the final third, although the hosts were let off the hook in the 36th minute as Knibbs lashed against the crossbar from eight yards out after Dom Hyam slipped in his own box.

At the other end, Nathan Broadhead dragged a shot wide before Ryan Longman blazed over from a tight angle as the score remained level at the break.

Parkinson’s men looked to turn the screw after the restart as Moore flashed a header across goal from George Thomason’s inviting corner – with Longman firing well over soon after.

Josh Windass, Lewis O’Brien and James McClean replaced Broadhead, Thomason and Longman midway through the second half as Charlton sent on Hernández for Knibbs.

But the turning point came 15 minutes from time as referee Leigh Douhty awarded the hosts a penalty as substitute Hernandez handled McClean’s cross.

Windass slotted his spot-kick into Kaminski’s bottom left corner to break the deadlock with his first home goal for the club.

The game became stretched late on as Moore was well denied by Kaminski in the final stages.

Charlton came agonisingly close to equalising in the ninth minute of added time as Okonkwo tipped Luke Berry’s header over – but Wrexham ultimately held on for back-to-back league clean sheets for the first time this season to clinch all three points to rise to 13th as Charlton slipped to ninth.