npower League One Charlton Ath 1 Colchester Utd 0

COLCHESTER United were controversially beaten at promotion-rivals Charlton tonight following one of the most surreal refereeing moments seen on a football pitch.

After an even and goalless opening hour, U’s striker Steven Gillespie saw a goal disallowed, then given, then disallowed in a bizarre turn of events.

Gillespie appeared onside when he received a through-ball and slotted home but, despite the well-placed linesman having his flag down, referee Darren Sheldrake blew his whistle just as the forward pulled the trigger.

After a long discussion with his linesman he over-ruled himself to give the goal and the sides kicked off again.

However, just seconds later the referee stopped the game and, after a long discussion with his fourth official, once again ruled out the goal and awarded a drop ball.

To add salt to the wounds, Charlton were then able to find a winner 12 minutes from time when debutant Bradley Wright-Phillips netted an acrobatic effort.

– Full match report and reaction in tomorrow’s EADT.

CHARLTON ATH (4-4-2): Elliot 7; Francis 7, Bessone 6 (Fry 82), Doherty 6, Dailly 6; Wagstaff 6, Semedo 7, McCormack 6, Jackson 6; Wright-Phillips 6 (Eccleston 89), Anyinsah 7.

Unused Subs: Worner, Racon, Reid, Benson, Fortune.

COLCHESTER UTD (4-4-2): Williams 6 (Cousins 46, 6); Beevers 6, Heath 7, Clarke 7, Coker 6; Bond 7, James 6, Izzet 6, Perkins 6 (Wordsworth 82); Mooney 7, Gillespie 7 (Odejayi 82).

Unused Subs: White, Baldwin, Vincent, Henderson.

U’s Man-of-the-Match: Matt Heath

Referee: Darren Sheldrake

Attendance: 13,830