AFC Wimbledon edged past Charlton Athletic in the Carabao Cup First Round with a 1-0 victory away at The Valley.
Both sides were slow to get into gear in the opening stages as misplaced passes disrupted any attacking promise – although it was the hosts who posed the biggest threat through set-pieces and crosses.
Ben Watson then had a shot hacked clear as Charlton increased the pressure before Wimbledon opened the scoring in the 26th minute through a quick counter-attacking move.
Henry Lawrence found Paul Osew with some excellent play down the flank before the wing-back fired home from a tight angle.
And the Dons could have doubled their advantage just three minutes later when they had a close-ranged shot cleared off the line by Jacob Roddy.
Charlton’s best chance of an equaliser came in the 56th minute after a simple lofted ball split the Wimbledon defence, but keeper Nik Tzanev managed to tip Josh Davison’s effort over the bar.
Dapo Mebude came close to doubling the Dons’ lead almost immediately but his curling effort after a promising run went just wide of the post.