Emotional Charlton boss Nathan Jones felt he proved some critics wrong after the 1-0 win over Wycombe sent them into the League One play-off final.
Matty Godden’s solitary, scrambled goal, nine minutes from the end of a cagey two-legged affair, fired the Addicks into an all-London Wembley final against Leyton Orient on May 25.
Jones, who was something of a derided figure as he lasted just three months in the Premier League at Southampton, collapsed to his knees in tears at the final whistle as jubilant fans streamed onto the pitch at a sold-out Valley.
It means Charlton are one win away from a return to the Championship, five years after they were relegated.
They have come a long way in just over a year having been 18th when Jones took over last February.
They eventually ended up 16th last season, their lowest league finish for 98 years.
“It’s massive relief, euphoria and pride,” said Jones. “I had times at a Premier League club where people thought I didn’t deserve to be there, regardless of how much I’d earned the right and gone through the divisions and coached at the highest level.
“All those things you remember. There was a bit of emotion with that.
“The players were excellent under big pressure today. And the goal, who else would you want that to fall to? We had to keep going, keep believing.
“I’m demanding, relentless, difficult to work with but the players have responded and deserve all the credit. They’ve been magnificent.”
Godden struck when Lloyd Jones got his toe to a long ball into the box and hooked it into his path for a tap-in.
“It feels amazing,” said the striker. “It was a bit of an out-of-body experience when the goal went in. It was so loud. The atmosphere was incredible and will live with me for the rest of my life.”
That Wycombe’s last shot on target was in the 28th minute of the first leg said a lot about their attacking ambitions.
However, Addicks defender Kayne Ramsay did have to make an extraordinary double block to deny Garath McCleary and Xavier Simons shortly before Godden scored.
“There was a huge amount of emotion about the final outcome,” said boss Mike Dodds. “It was two well-organised teams who cancelled each other out.
“I knew it would be decided by a moment, and I’m the one who didn’t get that moment. I’m not going to point fingers at my team, they gave everything. It’s a harsh lesson.
“But Nathan’s done an incredible job and I wish them all the best.”
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