Charlton beat Preston to maintain perfect start

Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship match between Charlton Athletic and Preston North End at The Valley on Saturday; Karlan Grant nets the only goal as Nathan Jones Addicks make it three wins from three.

Charlton moved to the top of the Championship table after a 1-0 victory over struggling Preston.

Karlan Grant's first goal for the Addicks since rejoining on a free transfer from West Brom ensured that the south Londoners are the only side in the division still boasting a 100 per cent record.

It is the first time that Charlton have won their opening three matches in the second tier since the 1992-93 campaign.

Charlton boss Nathan Jones made just one change from last weekend's win at West Ham with Ivan Mesik replacing Billy Koumetio, who suffered a hamstring injury in the heavy midweek Carabao Cup loss to Tottenham.

The visitors named new signings Stanley Mills and Caleb Wiley on the bench.

The opening 45 minutes was desperately short on quality with Charlton struggling to find space against organised opposition.

North End had the first clear-cut chance after 30 minutes but Callum Lang was unable to keep his header down from Andrija Vukcevic's left-wing delivery.

Addicks goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, making his first home appearance after signing on loan from Wrexham, did not have a save to make before the break.

Charlton defender Amari'i Bell produced excellent defending to snuff out the threat of Lang after he initially managed to roam goalside of the Jamaica international.

Charlton finally threatened in the 37th minute. Miles Leaburn produced a brave header from a cross by Tyreece Campbell which went narrowly past the left post.

Grant had the last shooting opportunity in first-half stoppage time but his 30-yard free-kick failed to call Preston keeper Daniel Iversen into action.

Okonkwo had to be switched on to produce a block to deny Delano Burgzorg early in the second period.

Harry Clarke, who spent the second half of last season on loan with Charlton from Ipswich, sent a right-footed effort harmlessly into the Jimmy Seed Stand shortly before the Addicks took a 56th-minute lead.