Charlton survived a late scare to take a huge step towards reaching the final at Wembley Stadium with a first leg win at Doncaster Rovers.

Lyle Taylor opened the scoring, with appeals from home fans for it to be ruled out, before Joe Aribo doubled the lead just minutes later.

Rovers would claw one back late on through Matty Blair, thanks to Mallik Wilks’ cross, but the damage appeared to have already been done.

Jonny Williams made the bench, but Igor Vetokele missed out, as Lee Bowyer named an unchanged starting 11 for the trip up to Doncaster.

While Charlton were not caused too many problems early on, Doncaster did have the bulk of the chances during the opening exchanges.

James Coppinger forced a strong save out of goalkeeper Dillon Phillips, and Herbie Kane went close, before Danny Andrew rattled the crossbar from a free-kick.

Charlton would go in front on 32 minutes when Josh Cullen’s hooked ball back across goal was headed in by Taylor, his 25th in all competitions.

Doncaster fans were left furious with referee Oliver Langford, believing it should’ve been ruled offside, however, television replays suggest it was the correct call.

Then, on 34 minutes, they doubled their lead as Aribo’s shot crept in past goalkeeper Marko Marosi after he was teed up by goalscorer Taylor.

Soon into the second half, Cullen hooked the ball off the line before denying Marquis from very close range.

Doncaster pushed for a goal to halve the deficit, however, the hosts clearly struggled to find many clear-cut scoring opportunities.

But Ben Whiteman had one of their best scoring opportunities on 70 minutes when he lashed his shot well over the bar.

Taylor, who appeared aggrieved by Mr Langford’s non-calls nearly doubled his tally on 85 minutes as he narrowly missed Aribo’s cross into the penalty area.

But what looked like a comfortable lead was in danger of being lost as Blair turned the ball in following Wilks’ cross on 87 minutes.

The Addicks found themselves under pressure, and were nearly punished when Wilks volleyed his effort well over the crossbar in added time.

Despite Doncaster’s late surge, Charlton would come away with the victory and now hold a slender lead going into the second leg at The Valley.