We continued our assault on the League summit with a hard-earned three points against Thamesmead Town, writes James Barrett-Sterling.
Team news
Only one change from the team that beat Cray Wanderers last week with Omar Koroma replacing Peter Adeniyi. Ex-Robin Paul Vines lined-up for the visitors.
Kick-off
The players began basked in sunshine and buffeted by high winds but we made a quick start and had an appeal for a penalty in the third minute.
Ola Sogbanmu had the ball inside the visitors' area and it seemed Richard Avery blocked his attempted cross with an arm, but the referee waved played on.
Christie Pattisson was making his home debut and he had the fans on their feet on seven minutes - he burst through on a long crossfield ball before thrashing a firm half volley back across goal from 15 yards, but the ball flew agonisingly just over the crossbar.
He was at it again a few minutes later as he cut inside onto his left on the far side but, again, his shot went just wide of the far post.
Town hadn't offered much going forward and we finally broke the deadlock on 22 minutes - Harvey Brand caught Tommy Bradford inside the area and Koroma stepped up to confidently convert the spot-kick.
That seemed to jolt the visitors into life and they started to work our backline a bit more, but Billy Bishop was equal to their best chance as he dived to smother a Vines header.
HALF-TIME: 1 - 0
It came as a surprise when Town levelled five minutes after the break, but we were the masters of our own downfall.
We failed to deal with a ball into our box and Paris Hamilton-Downes' clearance in the six yard box was charged down by Anidugbe. Bobby Price then had a chance to clear but he could only hit Laurent Mendy whom then proceeded to nod the ball in from close range.
We then lost Price to an injury so Danny Dudley came on and, in fact, we weren't behind for very long.
We were patient in possession and eventually Cheadle took the ball on before delicately chipping in a cross which Koroma powerfully headed inside the near post.
Town keeper Lewis Carey made two top draw saves to deny Sogbanmu and Cheadle as time ticked on, but we were grateful to see Richard Pacquette flash a header over from 10 yards in added time.
Look out for match highlights and post-match interviews via robins.tv
Next up: We travel to Herne Bay on Saturday 3rd March before Molesey visit us on Saturday 10th March.
Carshalton Athletic: Bishop; Price (Dudley - 56), Morath-Gibbs, Hamilton-Downes (c), Cheadle; Bradford (Adeniyi - 83), Aziaya, Sogbanmu; Pattisson, Koroma, Sterling-Parker (Korboa - 46)
Unused subs: O'Sullivan, Murphy-McVey
Goals: Koroma (22 pen, 58)
Assists: Bradford, Cheadle
Booked: Sterling-Parker
Thamesmead Town: Carey, Brand, Danquah, Taiwo (Whitely - 76), Avery (c), Denny, Green (Pacquette - 76), Anidugbe, Vines, O'Connor, Mendy
Unused sub: Adelowo
Goal: Mendy (50)
Booked: Denny
Our 'Man of the Match': Jordan Cheadle
Attendance: 371
Current league position: 3rd on 71 points (Lewes 1st on 74)