Leicester out-fox Addicks

Dion Dublin claimed a late winner as Leicester City deservedly beat Charlton 2-1.

The Championship side claimed a notable scalp after they opened the scoring through Nikos Dabizas and completed the win with a Dion Dublin header in the dying moments.

Although Charlton responded just before the break with a subtle back heel flick from Shaun Bartlett, Craig Levein's side grabbed a well deserved victory that takes them into the last eight.

A first half bereft of many clear cut chances at goal took on a physical dimension in the early stages, with both sides engaging in some tough tackles.

Joey Gudjonsson was tightly marking Danny Murphy, and, denied their creative outlet, Charlton lacked penetration.

The Championship side dominated the opening exchanges, as Bryan Hughes and Danny Tiatto provided the necessary drive from midfield to support lone striker Mark de Vries.

It was the ex-Hearts man who nearly gave Leicester an early penalty as he was felled in the area by Icelandic stopper Herman Hreidarsson.

Danny Tiatto crossed from the left wing and, as de Vries arrived in the box, Hreidarsson blocked the striker with his shoulder to prevent a good headed opportunity, although play continued.

Charlton nearly took an undeserved lead, but were denied by an acrobatic stop by Ian Walker, as Hughes took down Luke Young's long ball and launched a powerful volley at goal.

Levein's side edged in front with seven minutes of the half remaining when Dabizas found space to head in from close range.

A long free kick from Gudjonsson was missed by de Vries, and the Greek defender slipped round the back to nod in after Talal El Karkouri fell to the ground.

Charlton, no doubt shocked into action at the thought of an upset, finished the stronger of the sides and drew level with a fantastic improvised finish by Bartlett just before the half time whistle.

The forward met Paul Konchesky's low cross with a back heeled flick that passed Walker by, and the crafty finish ensured that Charlton went into the break slightly fortunate to be level.

It was Leicester again who emerged more promisingly, as they continued to belie their lower league status at The Valley.

Keith Gillespie landed a firm header on target as he met a right wing cross from Alan Maybury, although Dean Kiely was well positioned to prevent a second goal for The Foxes.

Charlton substitute Jerome Thomas supplied a golden opportunity for Hughes, as the midfielder somehow failed to connect properly to his cross from just three yards out.

Hreidarsson and Gillespie then indulged in a head to head argument which resulted in a booking for the ever-dangerous Leicester man.

The winger found his name in the referee's book despite it being mysteriously left off the back of his shirt after a half time wardrobe change.

Kiely was on hand to deny Leicester a second, as he made a fantastic stop to deny Dabizas on the line.

As the ball came in Dublin headed down and Dabizas stabbed at goal. However Kiely stretched out his right foot from point blank range.

Dublin then saw a shot tipped over the bar by Kiely, although the stopper snatched a dramatic winner just moments later.

Dublin held off Bartlett at a corner, and met the ball well with his head from a few yards out. Murphy made a despairing attempt to clear the ball off the line but failed to divert the header away as Dublin whirled away in delight.

Bartlett seemed to be at fault with unconvincing defending, but then the striker should perhaps not have been left to deal with the aerial prowess of Dublin, as the ex-Aston Villa man settled the tie in the final moments.

It was no more than Leicester deserved after taking the tie by the scruff of the neck and denying their league superiors many clear-cut chances at goal.

Team Name	Charlton Athletic	Leicester City
Possession	48%	52%
Goals	1	2
Shots On Target	4	6
Shots Off Target	3	7
Blocked Shots	1	0
Corners	4	3
Fouls Conceded	13	15
Offsides	0	4
Yellow Cards	1	2
Red Cards	0	0