Matt Godden dealt a death blow to Wycombe Wanderers in the dying minutes of a lifeless war at the valley, launching Nathan Jones and Charlton Athletic into a Wembley showdown for promotion glory.

Charlton Athletic have clawed their way into the League One play-off final — and they did it with drama, emotion, and one brutal dagger from Matt Godden.

For 85 agonising minutes, The Valley resembled a graveyard of ideas. The match — a second leg with the tie locked at 0-0 on aggregate — limped along with all the energy of a funeral procession. Fans on both sides barely breathed, locked in a strange mix of tension and tedium.

But then came Godden.

With one of only three shots on target all night, the 32-year-old striker pounced like a predator. A flash of chaos in Wycombe’s box. A loose ball. A single second of hesitation. Godden needed no more. His strike hit the net like a thunderclap — and the entire stadium erupted.

It was the kill shot.

Wycombe, who had shown nothing of real threat in two legs, fell limp. The Addicks held firm. And as the final whistle pierced the London night, manager Nathan Jones dropped to his knees in floods of tears — washed in redemption.

The man who had been laughed out of the Premier League after a disastrous stint at Southampton had dragged Charlton to the brink of the Championship. And he knew exactly what it meant.

“It’s massive relief, euphoria and pride,” said Jones, fighting back emotion. “People thought I didn’t deserve to be at a Premier League club. But I earned my way here — through the mud, through the noise. Nights like this remind you why it matters.”

This wasn’t just a match. It was a resurrection — for Charlton, for Jones, and for the fans who filled the 27,000 seats of The Valley with belief.

Wycombe, by contrast, died on their feet. Despite their valiant effort over 180 minutes, they managed just one real chance in the dying stages — a header that sailed harmlessly wide. Their campaign ended not with a bang, but with a whimper.

Now, Charlton face Leyton Orient at Wembley — the final battlefield. The winner takes the golden ticket to the Sky Bet Championship. The loser faces the purgatory of another season in League One.

For Charlton, the moment feels biblical. It has been years since they tasted life in the second tier — and longer still since they felt they belonged there. But with a hungry squad, a steely manager, and a city beginning to believe again, they stand one match away from salvation.

Matt Godden, a player so often overlooked in the big moments, has now written his name in the club’s modern folklore. His goal — not just a match-winner, but a dream-restorer — could go down as one of the most important in Charlton’s recent history.

“Football gives you moments you never forget,” he said post-match. “This was one of them.”

At Wembley next Sunday, they’ll need another