Charlton 3-1 Chesterfield: Rampant Addicks march on

In a match largely controlled by the Addicks, the visitors offered little going forward, but the Reds' hard work could have been undone in the final moments of the match after some penalty controversy involving vice-captain Matt Taylor.

Chesterfield's Lee Johnson nearly silenced the crowd inside the opening 30 seconds, when he collected a ball 20 yards out before shooting wide of Ben Hamer's right post.

Two minutes later, a fantastic ball over the top from Paul Hayes found striker partner Bradley Wright-Phillips storming down the left, but as he cut inside on to his right foot, his shot was blocked.

Johnnie Jackson went close on 11 minutes - his goalbound shot deflecting off a Chesterfield defender for a corner from the edge of the box.

Just a minute later, Michael Morrison nearly scored his first goal for the club, hooking a shot back towards goal after Danny Hollands' long throw caused confusion in the six-yard box, only for goalkeeper Greg Fleming to pull off a flying save.

From the resulting corner, Jackson saw a header flash inches wide of the far post after outjumping his marker, as the Addicks cranked up the pressure.

On 19 minutes, Powell's men deservedly took the lead through Hayes following some gallant bravery from Hollands.

The former AFC Bournemouth man, who celebrated the birth of his three baby girls on Monday, stuck his head in as 'keeper Fleming came flying out to collect, and the ball fell to Wright-Phillips, who scuffed a shot back towards goal and Hayes was on hand to flick the ball home.

On 26 minutes, the rampant Addicks should have gone 2-0 up through either Hayes or Hollands.

Wright-Phillips nicked the ball past Jonathan Grounds, and as he was bearing down on goal, he unselfishly squared the ball to Hayes, but the strikers' touch was poor and the danger was cleared.

From a loose ball in midfield, Hollands lined up a shot from 25 yards, but his shot was blocked inside the box.

And the pressure paid off for Powell's side when they did extend their lead a minute later through captain Jackson from 12 yards.

A well-worked free-kick out on the far side near the corner by Dale Stephens was dummied by Matt Taylor, and Jackson made no mistake, planting a shot into the bottom corner.

On 33 minutes, Jackson nearly grabbed his second, and Charlton's third, direct from a corner, but Fleming was on hand to tip the ball over at the back post.

Chesterfield nearly got a goal back minutes later with a rare attack - Westcarr receiving a quickly-taken corner inside the box before crossing into the danger area, only for in-form striker Leon Cort to blaze over from four yards.

Charlton should have killed the game off shortly before the break when Hayes capitalised on some hesitancy from Spireites left-back Nathan Smith inside the box, and the summer signing cut the ball back for Scott Wagstaff who fired narrowly over from 18 yards out.

The away side came out the stronger in the opening moments of the second period and had a penalty claim when Rhoys Wiggins looked to have handled the ball from a Mendy cross, but to be fair to the full-back, it was hardly intentional.

But Chesterfield boss John Sheridan was furious no penalty was given, and after a few harsh words towards the referee and the fourth official, he was sent to the stands to watch the rest of the match.

But the visitors' pressure wore off as the Addicks began to gain possession around the hour mark, notably down the right with Wagstaff and Hayes causing problems for away full-back Smith.

And midway through the second period, Stephens nearly extended the lead when he sent a looping header towards goal from the edge of the box after Hayes' cross was half-cleared by Chesterfield's rearguard.

But on 70 minutes, Charlton conceded a penalty when Morrison's trailing leg brought down Clarke after he burst into the box down the left.

And up stepped Danny Whitaker, despite a protest from Clarke over who took the kick, who sent Hamer the wrong way to pull a goal back.

Moments later, Stephens sent a rasping drive just over from 20 yards as the Reds looked to extend their lead, but on 79 minutes they should have got the goal that would killed off John Sheridan's side.

Hollands' cross was handballed by a Chesterfield player, but the ball fell to Hayes inside the box, who sent a dipping volley towards goal, only to see the ball cannon back off the crossbar.

Wright-Phillips was quickest to react but the ball was slightly too high for the striker to head the ball back into the empty net.

And on 86 minutes, Charlton should have been awarded a penalty for the most blatant foul anyone in football will ever see - apart from referee Scott - who booked central defender Taylor for simulation.

The defender was booked to the disbelief of the whole stadium and the home bench as Charlton were denied a clear penalty.

And straight from a long punt upfield from the visitors, Alex Mendy let fly with a 25-yard strike which had Hamer scrambling across his goal.

If the ball had gone in, there would have been complete uproar - but any frustration was extinguished in the second minute of stoppage time as Wright-Phillips killed the visitors off with a close range header.

Excellent build-up play from substitute Yann Kermorgant found Wagstaff bursting down the right into the box, and the 21-year old's pinpoint cross to the unmarked frontman was duly dispatched past Fleming.

It was a deserved finish for the hosts, who continue to lead the race for Championship promotion, and in front of a 22,000 crowd, it could certainly entice Addicks fans to make that figure a regularity.

Charlton: Hamer; Solly, Wiggins, Taylor, Morrison; Wagstaff (Hughes 90), Stephens, Hollands, Jackson (c); Hayes (Kermorgant 80), Wright-Phillips.

Subs Not Used: Sullivan, Cort, Euell.

Attendance: 22,151