Decisive figure tilts it for Charlton Athletic against Preston | OneFootball

Karlan Ahearne-Grant decided Charlton Athletic's 1-0 win over Preston North End in the 56th minute, steering a left-footed finish into the bottom corner to settle a tight Championship game.

The forward ghosted between centre-backs to meet Millenic Alli's teasing cross, guiding the chance inside the far post with calm precision. It was the clearest opening he fashioned all afternoon and he took it clinically.

He kept asking questions late on too. One drive was blocked on the edge of the area (89.). Moments later, another effort was charged down as Preston retreated towards their six-yard line (90.).

Ahearne-Grant finished with five attempts and one on target, plus 11 successful final third passes from 37 in total, underlining how he both carried the threat and knitted Charlton's attacks together.

Against Preston's back five, his movement across the line regularly found pockets between centre-backs and wing-backs. That positioning opened the channel for Alli's delivery and helped Charlton control the key moments after the restart.

Charlton rise from sixth to first and visit West Bromwich Albion next. Preston are 23rd and host Bristol City next.