Southend beat Charlton on penalties thanks to extra-time Ahadme winner
Blues' poor form continues in normal time but they survive scare to progress in FA Cup
Gassan Ahadme scored a dramatic extra-time winner as Southend beat Charlton on penalties to reach the second round of the FA Cup.
The League Two strugglers had led 2-0 at the break through goals from Callum Powell and Noor Husin but were pegged back in the second half by goals from Conor Washington and Diallang Jaiyesimi.
The hosts had the better of the chances in extra-time and deservedly won the shootout 4-3, with Ahadme scoring the decisive spot-kick.
The win was a much-needed boost for Southend, who have now won just one of their last nine matches in all competitions.
Charlton, meanwhile, will be disappointed to have been knocked out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle, but they can take heart from their performance in the second half.
Match report
Southend made a bright start to the match and took the lead in the 16th minute when Powell fired home from close range after being set up by Ahadme.
The hosts doubled their lead in the 33rd minute when Husin headed home a cross from Jake Clifford.
Charlton pulled a goal back in the 55th minute when Washington scored from the penalty spot after he had been brought down by Nathan Ferguson.
The visitors levelled the scores in the 72nd minute when Jaiyesimi scored from close range after being set up by George Dobson.
Neither side could find a winner in the remaining minutes of normal time or in extra-time, so the match went to a penalty shootout.
Southend won the shootout 4-3, with Ahadme scoring the decisive spot-kick.
Reaction
"I'm delighted with the win," said Southend manager Kevin Maher.
"We showed great character to come back from 2-0 down and win the game on penalties.
"It's a great result for the club and the fans, and it gives us something to build on."
"I'm disappointed that we didn't win the game," said Charlton manager Johnnie Jackson.
"We played well in the second half and deserved to get something from the match.
"But we didn't take our chances in extra-time and we paid the price."
