Charlton 2 ( Kermorgant 23, Ephraim 41) Huddersfield Town 0.

Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.

Surfing a wave of the most passionate support in South East London, Charlton shattered Huddersfield's magnificent record of 43 consecutive league games unbeaten and tightened their grip at the top of the table. In what home manager Chris Powell aptly called "an advert for League One", a national TV audience received a timely reminder that quality exists outside the Premiership. They might also have appreciated the keenly but cleanly contested nature of this vitally important clash, unmarred as it was by any Balotelli/ Tevez pouting.

The build-up had concentrated on the supposedly crucial shoot-out between hot shots Bradley Wright-Phillips and Jordan Rhodes, scorers of 27 league goals between them. Charlton's marksman shaded their personal duel but it was his strike partner, Yann Kermorgant, who did the damage. The underrated Frenchman notched his side's important first goal, contributed critically to the second, besides hitting the bar and handing the visitors a lesson in centre forward virtuosity.

The West Yorkshiremen actually made the brighter start. They had earned four early corners and were exerting mild pressure when right back Jack Hunt was panicked into tripping Hogan Ephraim as the right-footed left winger cut in from the touchline. Crossing from the opposite flank to size up an inviting free kick, Danny Green curled in a pacy inswinger, which Kermorgant met in front of his marker and headed firmly inside the left post. Not a particularly towering player, the Breton's heading is a sight for sore eyes among aficionados of a lost art made all but redundant by the brilliant, pattern-weaving likes of Barcelona.

Up front for Town, meanwhile, was debutant loanee Jon Parkin, known affectionately as "The Beast" in recognition of his massive stature and not, it must be said, for persistent foul play. Limited he might be but Parkin leaves his mark on defenders, who know they've been in a battle by full-time. Deputy skipper Matt Taylor and Michael Morrison stood up valiantly to the physical challenge as Huddersfield's tactics were adapted to the big bloke's formidable assets. It was possibly fortunate that alongside him, Rhodes froze in front of the cameras. Despite the lion's share of first half possession, the visitors rarely troubled the impressively sound Ben Hamer.

Three minutes before the interval, the Addicks doubled their lead in circumstances made "controversial" only by a catastrophic lapse in concentration among the visitors. Taking time out to dispute a throw clearly not theirs, they allowed the alert Green to quickly find Kermorgant, who flicked on cleverly for Wright-Phillips to twist past his shadow Antony Kay. Sensing the danger, Ian Bennett left his line to block the striker's toepoked effort but the rebound fell to Ephraim, who ignored several sluggish defenders and slotted neatly past the stranded goalkeeper. A jubilant Valley all but hugged itself in glee, in between ribaldly inviting the visitors to do something unseemly, not to mention illegal, with their unbeaten record.

Terriers' boss Lee Clark responded positively during the break, bringing on the attacking pace of Danny Ward and Anton Robinson. Powell was forced into change by the enforced withdrawal of experienced loan signing Darel Russell, in whose place Andy Hughes added his customary professional pragmatism to the cause. What you see is what you get from Hughes and what you get are guts and commitment.

A minute following resumption, the bar denied Charlton a third, possibly decisive goal. Green's long throw was headed over Bennett by Kermorgant but crashed against the woodwork. The burly Frenchman then forced a fine save from Bennett with a fierce free kick.

Improving steadily as their hosts flagged briefly, the Terriers came close to reducing their arrears on the hour when Ward's intended cross swerved on to the bar. They came even closer through Parkin, who seized on a chance created by Taylor's untimely slip to crash a venomous left-footed volley goalwards. At full stretch, Hamer miraculously turned the ball on to his left-hand post.

Having done their marvellously full-throated bit, the home support had seen enough. The departure of Kermorgant with an ankle injury dampened their ardour somewhat but they stayed behind to salute their heroes, each one of whom had contributed fully to a cockle-warming triumph It wouldn't do to mention any names but the little right back is one nugget of a player. There's still one helluva long way to go but the journey has been a pleasure so far. Stay on board, now, there's more to come.

Charlton (4-4-2): Hamer, Solly, Morrison, Taylor, Wiggins, Green, Russell (Hughes 46), Hollands, Ephraim (Wagstaff 82), Kermorgant (Hayes 89), Wright-Phillips. Not used: Sullivan, Cort.

Huddersfield (4-4-2): Bennett, Hunt, Arfield, Clarke, Woods, Miller (Robinson 46), Kay, Roberts (Ward 46), Johnson, Rhodes, Parkin. Not used: Colgan, Novak, Bruce.

Referee: R. East. Attendance: 18,029.

Brentford 0 Charlton 1 (Wright-Phillips 64).

Kevin Nolan reports from Griffin Park.

This was the definitive game of two halves and Charlton could only thank providence that it was. During 45 painfully one-sided minutes, they were battered by a side which consistently raises its game against them. That they hung on until half-time was due to Brentford's poor finishing and a handy stroke of luck here and there. The Bees not only missed several chances but also their own best chance to continue their recent run of successes over the Addicks. They were ultimately sickened by a striker who needs just the sniff of a chance to score.

Bradley Wright-Phillips had maintained typical concentration during a first half spent in near isolation alongside Yann Kermorgant. Both forwards had worked hard without reward but were coming more into their own when the dominant hosts were dealt a savage body blow before the hour mark.

It was Kermorgant's searching pass which Wright-Phillips chased down with Shaleum Logan in close attendance. Nipping in front of the pursuing defender, Wright-Phillips flicked the ball wide of the advancing Richard Lee, before taking evasive action as Logan and Lee painfully collided. Alert Leon Legge cleared the danger, Lee regained his feet but Logan stayed down in obvious distress. Following six minutes of treatment, the young centre back was removed on a stretcher and was replaced by Marcus Bean. The disastrous effect on the Bees' concentration was immediate.

With their momentum checked, the home defence was on the back foot for the first time as Kermorgant's accurate delivery picked out Danny Green near the right touchline. The winger's trademarked early cross was missed at the near post by Danny Hollands but coolly tapped home by the ever-vigilant Wright-Phillips behind him. It was a lesson in finishing too late in the learning for stricken Brentford. And Wright-Phillips, with a crisp drive on the turn mere minutes later, almost emphasised the point but Lee defied him at full stretch.

Roared on by a contingent of over 1,800 travelling fans, who had made their way to Griffin Park by boat, car, coach and train to help register the hosts' best gate of the season, the Addicks were lucky to be in front but just as determined to stay there. They had already weathered the worst before the interval and braced themselves for a second wave of attacks.

Their ordeal had begun as early as the 5th minute when Andy Hughes' error gifted possession to Clayton Donaldson, who set up Gary Alexander to shoot from 25 yards. Diving to his left, Ben Hamers made the first of several fine saves he contributed to the cause. But the keeper was helpless shortly afterwards as Brentfor's impressive wide man Niall McGinn crowned a sharp passing move by cutting in from the left to beat Hamer with a fierce low drive which bounced off the left upright. Sliding in unchallenged, Donaldson haplessly spooned the deceptive rebound over the bar.

Donaldson was proving an awkward handful but missed an even easier chance before the break. After McGinn had achieved the rare feat of skinning Chris Solly on the left flank, the unmarked Donaldson was set up by the juiciest of crosses only to head lamely wide. The West Londoners were well on top but this is a leaner, meaner Charlton side sharing little in common with the various transients who had degraded the famous red shirt in recent seasons. They had endured and would be heard from later.

Not that the tide turned dramatically in the second half's early exchanges. Charlton could offer only a couple of headed efforts from Green's long throws but Brentford's intensity had already cooled before Logan's misfortune. And if the loss of their young loanee was a severe blow, the withdrawal of Johnnie Jackson with hamstring damage was of even graver consequence to the League One leaders. On came new loan arrival Hogan Ephraim, whose left-sided cover for the influential captain will be called into emergency action during Jackson's anticipated absence of a month.

The closing stages were frantic. Throwing caution in the bin, the West Londoners almost manically renewed their assault. One corner after another was either plucked out of the air or punched clear by the defiant Hamer, who also risked life and limb at the feet of substitute Mike Grella and Alexander as Brentford's desperation boiled over into physical confrontation. Hamer had the last laugh by plucking Grella's point-blank header out of the air when scoring seemed easier than missing. Significantly, Kermorgant had come closest to scoring during ten seemingly endless minutes of added time with a firmly sidefooted shot from Wright-Phillips' square pass which Lee sprawled to save.

Gathered together by their astute manager at the final whistle to salute their jubilant supporters, Charlton were aware that they had dug out a win which, in its stubborn, gutsy way, had more merit than the recent demolitions of Carlisle and Preston. 1-0 to the Charlton has a satisfying ring to it, particularly when it stops the rot against opponents who have been nothing but nuisances recently. Chris Powell's Addicks bear the weight of history lightly and with grace.

Brentford (4-4-2): Lee, Logan (Bean 62), Legge, Llera, Woodman, Saunders (Grella 79), Diagouraga, Douglas, McGinn (Weston 70), Alexander, Donaldson. Not used: Devlin, Eger.

Charlton (4-4-2): Hamer, Solly, Morrison, Taylor, Wiggins, Green (Wagstaff 90), Hollands, Hughes, Jackson (Ephraim 75), Kermorgant, Wright-Phillips. Not used: Sullivan, Cort, Hayes.

Referee: Eddie Ilderton. Attendance: 8,095.

FC Halifax Town 0 Charlton 4 (Taylor 40, Jackson 80, Hollands 82, Pritchard 90).

Kevin Nolan reports from The Shay.

The conditions were ideal for a Cup upset in Halifax at lunchtime on Sunday. A chilling mist hung over the old mill town, the battered stadium offered little comfort and a slippery, treacherous pitch, the locals practically licked their lips at the prospect of getting stuck into a bunch of over-privileged posers from the South. Not only that, TV was on hand to document their humiliation. We've been there before.

Two years ago, Charlton made laughing stocks of themselves at Northwich Victoria, again in front of a national TV audience. The only survivor from that fiasco is Scott Wagstaff, an academy graduate who departed Cheshire on that dismal day with no apology necessary. Wagstaff was part of the starting line-up at The Shay and duly did his wholehearted bit among a hardbitten group of Addicks, most of them Southerners, who put Halifax and their loquacious manager Neil Aspill in their place. History was not about to be repeated.

Not that it was easy and not that the West Yorkshiremen didn't emerge with credit from a tie which remained competitive until the visitors broke it open with three goals in the last ten minutes. But it was hard to escape the impression that the Addicks always had something in hand on their way to winning with the least possible fuss. It's tough to dispute 4-0, though Aspill, an ex-Leeds player with previous against Charlton, did his myopic best.

Urged on by their hardy faithful, the Shaymen shared the first half, emerging from it slightly unlucky to be a goal down. It's true, though, that their situation might have been far worse had Charlton converted one or two more of the chances they created. Home goalkeeper Simon Eastwood performed heroically in denying the first of them, his outstretched left leg blocking the close range header, with which Matthew Taylor met Johnnie Jackson's outswinging corner.

That nugget of a right back, Chris Solly, was combining intuitively with his mucker Wagstaff, their quickfire exchange of passes setting up the winger to cross from the byline. Shooting on the turn, Paul Hayes was bravely blocked by Ryan Toulson. Hayes should have done better minutes later but stabbed tamely wide after Cedric Evina, an impressive deputy for Rhoys Wiggins, cut through to centre from the left.

Having earned promotion in their last two campaigns, Town are clearly a club on the rise. They kept the ball on the ground, passed and moved intelligently, made chances themselves. Mobile striker Lee Gregory curled a clever effort narrowly wide then, moments before the interval, their influential skipper Tom Baker shaved the bar from 30 yards. Unfortunately for Aspill's sturdy side, they had already fallen behind a minute before Baker's near miss.

A careless foul by Baker on Danny Hollands in the centre circle sent Taylor up to try his luck. Still upfield as the free kick was partially cleared, the centre back was positioned at the far post to meet Hayes' deep cross and claimed his first goal for the club by looping a perfectly aimed header back over Eastwood into the opposite corner.

Possibly nettled by the setback, Halifax began the second period brightly, with Jamie Rainford's quickwitted snapshot sending John Sullivan into full-length action to save. Hayes replied for the visitors but sent an improvised chip inches over the bar.

The 62nd introduction of speedy left winger Jason St. Juste (fine old Yorkshire name that one, possibly one of the Castle Howard St. Justes) in place of Danny Holland, boosted home prospects. On his lively duel with the imperturbable Solly rested the outcome of the tie and he started by skinning his rival and crossing on the run but Gregory was unable to make telling contact at the near post. Solly wasn't having any more of that, of course, his marvellous tackle on St. Juste and subsequent key interception keeping the newcomer comparatively quiet. No offence intended to ITV's excellent man-of-the-match Taylor but Solly quite clearly stood out.

The Shaymen, meanwhile, were still in contention until, with 10 minutes remaining, they collapsed. Worn down by Charlton's painstaking possession, they were easy prey to Jackson's typically crisp low drive and Hollands' point blank flick but it was the Addicks' fourth goal which pleased the bench most. Mind you, their hosts were down to 10 men by that time, defender Danny Lowe having seen red for a vicious challenge on Wagstaff.

Brought on as part of a flurry of substitutions, among them the 86th minute arrival of Bradley Wright-Phillips which neatly cup-ties the coveted goalscorer, Bradley Pritchard made up for time lost to untimely injury by turning sharply on to a low pass from fellow replacement Michael Smith to shoot through Eastwood's legs. Both he and Smith show promise.

So the Addicks sauntered to the line and a second round clash at home to Carlisle United. Maybe the scoreline flattered them but that quibble rather misses the point. There was no way they were about to lose this game, not this Chris Powell-inspired side. FC Halifax, fair play to them, were ruthlessly seen off. Simple and cold-blooded as that, really.

FC Halifax: Eastwood, Toulson, Hogan, Lowe, McManus, Rainford (Anderson 87), Baker, Hardy, Garner (Winter 73), Holland (St. Juste 62), Gregory. Not used: Senior, Needham, Foster, Scott Hogan.

Charlton: Sullivan, Solly, Taylor, Morrison, Evina, Wagstaff, Hollands (Pritchard 87), Hughes, Jackson, Hayes (Wright-Phillips 86), Hayes (Smith 87). Not used: Hamer, Doherty, Wiggins, Green.

Referee: G. Elringham. Att: 4,601.

Charlton 5 (Jackson 16,26, Morrison 22, Wright-Phillips 38, Hollands 69) Preston North End 2 (Morgan 85, Daley 90).

Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.

Injury ravaged, out of form and devoid of confidence, Preston North End will find it all too easy "to remember remember the Fifth of November". This sound spanking at the vengeful hands of high-flying Charlton will be hard to forget though two late goals, the second of them an absolutely stunning strike from substitute Keammar Daley, distorted the scale of their humilation. It was a long haul back home.

On the other hand, Charlton hardly put a foot wrong for 85 minutes. Three up before the half hour, they added a fourth goal before half-time, then a fifth through Danny Hollands' best of the bunch, midway through the second period. Their corporate lack of concentration, with the winners' enclosure in sight, allowed their outclassed victims to salvage a little pride but by then the damage had been done.

Visiting manager Phil Brown was correct to point out that his side began brightly, "played some good stuff" and held their own during the opening quarter hour. He will be alarmed, though, at the manner of the abject ten-minute collapse which effectively sealed their fate.

Their first concession will give him nightmares. No fewer than three defenders hemmed in Danny Green as he made positive tracks for goal but the winger held them all at bay before unleashing a swerving 25-yard drive, which keeper Andreas Arestidou found too hot to handle. Alertly beating David Gray to the rebound, Johnnie Jackson made expert work of netting what was actually a tricky chance.

While the Addicks have been rattling in goals this season, it hadn't escaped Chris Powell's attention that neither Michael Morrison nor Matt Taylor, had contributed to the total. Morrison duly broke the centre backs' duck by firing home from close range after Jackson's inswinging right wing corner was half-cleared to him.

Already out on their feet, the shellshocked Lilywhites were polished off by a third blow, this one self-administered, four minutes later. Under pressure from the outstanding Yann Kermorgant, left back Paul Parry's weak backheader lured Arestidou from his line to upend the determined French striker. Mercifully spared the ultimate red-card punishment by erratic referee Gibbs, the stricken keeper could do no more than motion Jackson's brutally struck penalty past him on its net-bursting way into the right corner.

Kermorgant has blossomed alongside cool finisher Bradley Wright-Phillips to form a partnership which, in Powell's neat appraisal, terrorises opposing central defences. Shortly before the break, the Breton climbed high at the far post to meet Green's deep free kick and headed deliberately back across goal for Wright-Phillips to quietly nod in his 13th goal of the season.

It was breathtaking stuff, which couldn't quite last. But the interval provided pause for evaluation of an irresistible 11-man performance. Ben Hamer had done his bit with two competent saves from Barry Nicholson and Paul Coutts and deserved the luck he received when Coutts nearly punished his poor clearance from over 40 yards. A little wobbly at times, Hamer was a helpless bystander as Nicholson's fine volley, immediately after Jackson's penalty, sent David Gray's right wing cross inches over his bar.

Charlton's settled back four must be among the best in the division. Chris Solly and Rhoys Wiggins are unflappable full backs, Morrison and Taylor uncompromising, ruthlessly efficient central defenders. On the right of a four-man midfield, Green at last demonstrated the undoubted talent which sent Powell in dogged pursuit of his signature; inside him, Hollands destroyed and created with equal proficiency, Andy Hughes a model of professional responsibility at his elbow; wide left, skipper Jackson has contributed seven goals so far and inspires the side with an insatiable appetite for work; all eight of them gang-tackle, cover and defend with manic intensity.

Though their foot came noticeably off the pedal after the break, the Addicks stayed comfortably in control and it was no surprise that they increased their lead in magnificent style on 69 minutes. And what a beauty it was, initiated by the trickery and turn of speed, with which Wiggins skinned Gray en route to the left byline. His perfect cross on the run was matched by the timing of Hollands' run and the power of the header which flew past poor Arestidou into the right corner. Wiggins simply can't stop making goals, Hollands can't stop scoring them, his third in the last four games increasing his total to five for the season.

With football very much a matter of timing, Charlton might consider it a break that they didn't face Preston earlier on in the campaign, when North End strung together seven league wins in a row and knocked the Addicks out of the Carling Cup for good measure. Since then, the Lancastrians have imploded, with Brown under severe threat of the sack. It's an unforgiving business and it will be of little consolation to the beleaguered manager that his side re-grouped with two late replies.

Centre back Craig Morgan's header from Brian McLean's corner accounted for the first but paled into insignificance alongside the marvellous spinning turn and venomous volley with which substitute Daley claimed the second. Powell's irritation was palpable but soon melted into purring satisfaction at a job so well done. Then the other results trickled in and his cup ran over. He's a hard taskmaster but he's no WWI general. He leads from the front.

Charlton (4-4-2): Hamer, Solly, Morrison, Taylor, Wiggins, Green (Wagstaff 70), Hughes, Hollands, Jackson (Euell 81), Kermorgant, Wright-Phillips (Hayes 70), Not used: Sullivan, Cort.

PNE (4-5-1): Arestidou, Gray, Morgan, McLaughlin, Parry, Coutts, McLean (Daley 46), Nicholson, Alexander, Smith (Mayor 46), Tsoumou. Not used: Ashbee, Barton, Zibaka.

Referee: P. Gibbs.

Attendance: 17,486.

Hartlepool 0 Charlton 4 (Wright-Phillips 9,37, Hollands 55, Wagstaff 84).

Charlton fans are really beginning to warm to the cut of Chris Powell's managerial jib. He comes across as balanced and mature, exactly the qualities that stood him in good stead during a lengthy, distinguished playing career.

Powell's measured reaction to recent defeat at Stevenage was revealing. Not for him the sour ugliness of Neil Warnock, the strawberry-veined ranting of Alex Ferguson or the quasi-psychological superiority of Arsene Wenger. Instead, his thunderous brow spoke of a determination to look within himself and his players for its cause and to avoid the easy option of blaming officials. There's no doubt he's a gentleman but he's also a complete professional with an aversion to losing but also an ability to maintain perspective in an otherwise triumphant campaign. Simply stated, he has his head screwed on.

There was little chance of the Addicks suffering their second loss of the season at chilly Victoria Park, where Hartlepool United were comprehensively beaten. A quickfire double from the insatiable Bradley Wright-Phillips placed United squarely behind the eight-ball, a daunting position from which they were never likely to recover.

Currently hotter than a pistol, Wright-Phillips has rattled in twelve goals in fifteen league starts, the last five of them notched in his last three games. An instinctive awareness of space carries him into the right place at invariably the right time, while uninhibited finishing does the rest. An occasional touch of luck also comes in handy, as was the case when Charlton's sureshot opened his account after nine minutes.

The build-up was smooth enough, Yann Kermorgant's chipped pass playing Rhoys Wiggins in behind outwitted right back Neil Austin. The rampaging Wiggins drilled over a low cross for Wright-Phillips to bobble a first-time shot which deceived Scott Flinders on its bouncing way into the bottom right corner.

With strapping centre backs Matt Taylor and Michael Morrison in commanding form, Danny Hollands bossing midfield and fullbacks Wiggins and Chris Solly their usual dependable selves, 'Pools prospects were already bleak. Adam Boyd did force a fine save from Ben Hamer but it came as little surprise that Wright-Phillips doubled his account and his side's lead before the break.

The irresistible left-sided partnership forged between Wiggins and Johnnie Jackson did the spadwork this time, their sharp exchange of passes sending Wiggins rampaging to the left byline. His clipped cross was hooked into the roof of the net, with practised ease, by Wright-Phillips, making simple work of what was actually a difficult skill.

From time to time this season, Charlton have wobbled in possession of a two-goal lead, most recently while working out an awkward midweek win over Wycombe Wanderers. A tendency to sit back on their advantage and invite the opposition on to them has encouraged apparently beaten sides to stage unlikely rallies. It seems the thoughtful Powell has addressed the problem because there was to be no miracle revival for the outclassed 'Pools who found themselves adrift at three down shortly after resumption.

Kermorgant had been regularly targeted for rough stuff by United's outgunned defenders. Five minutes into the second period, his quick turn eluded Peter Hartley, who responded by chopping down the Breton striker a yard outside the penalty area to the right of goal. Hartley's inevitable yellow card was only part of his punishment because Jackson's wickedly inswinging free kick was bulleted home by the onrushing Hollands from five yards. There's no better way to defend a two-goal lead than by making it three.

As the Addicks relaxed, Wright-Phillips came within a whisker of claiming his first-ever senior hat-trick but failed to toe-end Jackson's low centre past Flinders. At the other end, meanwhile, Taylor demonstrated Charlton's professional ruthlessness by heroically blocking James Poole's point-blank shot. Much earlier, Hollands had set the example with a ferocious, but eminently fair tackle on Andy Monkhouse.

There was still time for a final flourish provided by late substitutes Scott Wagstaff and Paul Hayes. Wagstaff had replaced the enigmatic Danny Green, a rare disappointment in the visitors' solid team performance but a player with so much to offer. Pulling back in anticipation of an alertly cutback pass from Hayes, the indefatigable winger crisply drove home the Addicks' fourth goal.

So the Stevenage blip, though still a sore point, has been answered by three successive victories within eight days. It's still early days - a fact of which nobody is more aware than one of League One's up-and-coming managers - but Charlton are the real deal. There's more to them than mere style. They're a hardbitten lot, very much cut from their guvnor's mould. He won't mind us saying so.

Stevenage: Flinders, Austin, Collins, Hartley, Horwood, Murray, Poole, Liddle (Luscombe 55), Monkhouse, Nish, Boyd (Brown 55). Not used: Rafferty, Humphreys, Wright.

Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Taylor, Morrison, Wiggins, Green (Wagstaff 69), Hollands (Euell 86), Hughes, Jackson, Kermorgant (Hayes 81), Wright-Phillips. Not used: Sullivan, Cort.

Referee: D. Mohareb. Attendance: 5,333.

Wycombe Wanderers 1 (Beavon 63 Charlton 2 (Wright-Phillips 6,41).

Treading the finest of lines again, Charlton completed the third leg of their Home Counties odyssey with a bitterly earned victory over dogged Wycombe Wanderers.

Before Tuesday's vital win, the Addicks hadn't fared too well in the leafy shires. A creditable 1-1 draw with MK Dons was followed by the disappointing surrender of their unbeaten league record at Stevenage. But with results elsewhere favouring them, they put daylight between themselves and their pursuers at the top of League One. All in all, it was a satisfactory, if harrowing, night's work.

In the cold light of day, however, the perfectionist in Chris Powell will focus as much on the flaws in his side's performance as on its undeniable merits. At half-time, Charlton were full value for their 2-0 lead after dominating their outplayed hosts and seemingly on course for a win as comprehensive as their effortless dismissal of Carlisle three days previously. During an increasingly torrid second half, however, their superiority began to fray to the point where the addition of four extra minutes arrived as an intolerable burden. They crawled over the line but that's what champions do sometimes.

There were only six minutes on the clock when Bradley Wright-Phillips (who else?) fired the visitors in front. His part in the goal might have been negligible but his instinct for being in the right place at the right time is an art in itself. A superbly flighted pass from old pro Andy Hughes sent Rhoys Wiggins marauding clear of right back Danny Foster to cross on the run but slightly behind Yann Kermorgant. The Breton's enterprising overhead effort hit the right post, before bouncing back to the predatory Wright-Phillips, whose finish past Nikki Bull was clinical.

Neat and constructive, meanwhile, Wycombe kept their nerve. A fine strike from Stuart Lewis skimmed the bar before Ben Strevens shot accurately but too close to Ben Hamer. The Chairboys were still in touch until Wright-Phillips' second goal knocked the wind out of their sails.

Set up by a magnificently judged pass from Danny Hollands, Wright-Phillips stole a key yard off his outmanouevred marker Dave Winfield, stumbled under the impact of the centre back's desperate challenge but recovered to drill a crisp low drive in off the left post. Ten goals in only fourteen starts this season is the return of a top notch marksman.

It was too easy to be true but reality bit after the break, The dominant visitors were served warning by tricky wide man Kadeem Harris. whose rising drive was nimbly turned over the bar by Hamer. Wanderers sniffed a switch in momentum, their growing confidence bolstered by Hamer's sudden nervousness in handling a couple of high balls. Midway through the second period, they deservedly reduced their arrears.

In Stuart Beavon, Wycombe have an in-form forward of their own. Scorer of seven of his side's fourteen league goals, he made it eight from fifiteen games by resolving an untidy goalmouth mess, during which Harris shot cannoned off Hamer's chest, with a no-nonsense close range shot.

Their comfortable ride no more than a memory now, the Addicks lived on their nerves as Strevens cut in from the left to curl a fine crosshot wide of the far post. Matt Taylor's miscued header which conceded an unnecessary corner was a sign that the times they were a-changin' but when they were asked to dig in, Powell's men answered the call. Centre backs Taylor and Michael Morrison headed ball after ball clear as the Chairboys adapted their ground-based tactics to include a steady barrage of high balls; full backs Wiggins and Chris Solly provided further evidence that their partnership is unsurpassed in the division. In front of them, Hollands superbly organised the first line of resistance, with the staunchness of Hughes at his elbow. Though Wanderers pressed relentlessly, they produced few chances.

When you're top of the league, as Charlton's marvellously vocal support reminded the locals they are, you find ways to win. And bloodymindedness has its place alongside elegance. There's more than one way to skin a Wanderer.

Wycombe (4-5-1): Bull, Foster, Johnson, Winfield, Basey, Harris, Bloomfield (Ibe 87), Strevens (Ainsworth 82), Lewis, Grant (Bignall 65), Beavon. Not used: Tunnicliffe, McCoy.

Charlton (4-4-2): Hamer, Solly, Morrison, Taylor, Wiggins, Green, Hollands, Hughes, Jackson, Kermorgant, Wright-Phillips (Wagstaff 85). Not used: Sullivan, Hayes, Euell, Cort.

Referee: Andy D'Urso. Attendance: 5,406.

Charlton 4 (Kermorgant 13, 37, Wright-Phillips 21, Hollands 48) Carlisle United 0.

Kevin Nolan reports from The Valley.

It's a long, weary road from London back to Carlisle after you've been outclassed 4-0. You're entitled to wonder whether, in the nagging words of the World War II poster, "your journey was really necessary." And it only adds to the misery to reflect that your performance included a player sent off, a penalty missed and a goalkeeping catastrophe of heroic proportions. So let's be kind to the Cumbrians.

Just 12 miles short of Scotland, United plough a lonely furrow as the solitary league representative of their remote county. For evidence of just how lonely it is look no further than the bleak reality that their local derby passion is directed at...Workington. That's hardly a clash to make emotional wrecks of their fans. In fact, it's a clash that hardly ever happens.

The Blues have endured dramatic highs and soul-destroying lows recently. Relegated to the Conference following the 2003-04 season, they made an immediate return to the Football League in 2004-05 by way of a play-off victory at the Brittania Stadium. Having restored the natural order, they drove a coach-and-four through League Two in 2005-06 and are back where they belong again.

League One is not where Charlton consider THEY belong. Their pedigree comprises numerous seasons in the top echelon of English football, punctuated by years of waiting in the old Second Division, now all gussied up as The Championship. The Addicks don't regard themselves as Third Division material, except, of course, that's where they find themselves right now.

During a blistering first half, the new side assembled by almost as new manager Chris Powell served notice that they are deadly serious about tearing themselves clear of what frankly is a depressing division. Beaten for the first time last week by Stoneage Stevenage, they took out their irritation on poor old Carlisle. In little over a half hour, they chewed up and spat out their bewildered visitors, scored three excellent goals and, for once, spared another marvellous Valley crowd their usual ordeal of nerve-jangling worry on the way to victory.

With new dad Dale Stephens' compassionate absence admirably covered by Andy Hughes and Chris Solly resuming at right back, Powell's decision to continue with Yann Kermorgant up front was handsomely vindicated by the Frenchman's bravura performance.

Scorer of two goals as what is popularly called an "impact sub", Kermorgant had struggled to make an impression in a couple of starts. His difficulties were put behind him by two outstanding strikes, the first of them finishing off a fluent move launched by an artfully lobbed pass from Johnnie Jackson and continued by Rhoys Wiggins' deliciously volleyed cross from the left. Kermorgant's firm header did the rest.

Eight minutes later, fast improving goalkeeper Ben Hamer earned himself an assist with a deliberately arrowed clearance which panicked United right back James Tavernier into a hopelessly underpowered header back to stranded keeper Adam Collin. Greased lightning in such situations, Bradley Wright-Phillips accelerated smoothly, beat Collin to the ball and rolled it precisely home from an acute angle.

The North Easterners were all at sea and easy prey for the rampaging Wiggins, who left Tavernier in his wake as he marauded along the left byline before picking out Wright-Phillips with an astute cutback. Charlton's razor sharp striker was twice foiled by desperate blocks from Peter Murphy but Kermorgant tidied up the mess with a rising drive off the underside of the bar.

United's discomfiture intensified with the pre-interval dismissal of Matt Robson. Deservedly booked for a earlier foul on Danny Green, no doubt a consequence of Green's effortless mastery of the left back, Robson's trip on Wright-Phillips lacked malice but left erratic referee Sheldrake no wriggle room in applying the letter of the law. Carlisle's wretched afternoon was degenerating fast but their humiliation was not quite over yet.

Shortly after resumption, Danny Hollands carried the ball over the halfway line, proceeded without challenge into shooting range and tried his luck from over 25 yards. His shot was firm enough but was no more than routine business for Collin to collect. A glaring sun was complicating life but could hardly be cited in his defence because Hollands' optimistic slipped through his legs.

The only possible consolation for the stricken keeperwas that a fourth goal had by then become academic. The same comfort could be extended to James Berrett, who spurned the chance to reduce United's arrears from the spot after Wiggins was harshly adjudged to have handled Tavernier's cross. Hamer protected his clean sheet by brilliantly saving James Berrett's firmly struck penalty. It's best to miss penalties when they have little effect on the outcome, just as it's easier to accept grotesque decisions such as the one later made by Mr. Sheldrake, who appeared oblivious to the obvious handling of Wiggins' goalbound drive by Danny Livesey. You only get so many penalties per season. You don't want to waste one with the score already 4-0.

A club without any apparent unpleasantness to them, Carlisle duly embarked on their punchdrunk journey to the far reaches of the northwest, with the prospect that, on St. Patrick's Day, there awaits them an even more gruelling assignment at Bournemouth. Anyway, a club which boasts among their season ticket holders no less a luminary as Coronation Street's Norris Cole (Malcolm Hebdon) has much to recommend it. Gratuitously- and with no justification other than a desire to share his riches - we offer in appreciation one of his better bon mots: "Yorkshire Moors? Fresh air? It didn't do the Bronte sisters much good. They were all dead by the time they were 40!" Harsh, admittedly, but fair, which accurately describes the treatment received by the Cumbrians in the cheerfully polluted air of South London.

Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Morrison, Taylor, Wiggins, Green (Wagstaff 69), Hollands (Euell 72), Hughes, Jackson, Kermorgant, Wright-Phillips (Hayes 76). Not used: Sullivan, Cort.

Carlisle: Collin, Tavernier, Livesey, Murphy, Robson (sent off), Berrett, McGovern, Taiwo, Loy (Curran 76), Noble (Michalik 46), Miller (Zoko 76). Not used: Gillespie, Helan.

Referee: Darren Sheldrake. Attendance: 16,741.

Stevenage 1 (Long 11) Charlton 0

Kevin Nolan reports from The Lamex Stadium...

Many of them attracted by the novelty of visiting a new league ground, (I'm no nerd but I'm up to 87 now, by the way) more than 1500 Charlton supporters helped Stevenage record their biggest crowd of the season so far for the first ever league meeting between the clubs. And no doubt they wish they hadn't bothered.

For waiting to spoil their day was a team which attained Football League status as recently as 2009-10, then zipped into League One via last season's Old Trafford play-off final victory over Torquay United. Like 'em or loathe 'em, you just have to respect their achievement. They certainly outwitted Charlton on this bracing early autumn afternoon.

The likes of Stevenage (they've dropped "Borough" from their official name, possibly because it made them sound like a council depot team) - and a division below them - unloved Crawley Town at least remind us of the uniquely egalitarian nature of English league football, a system in which all comers can try their luck. Even the financial snobs of the Premiership, with their morally dubious owners, had to put up with Blackpool last season and are still aching to rid themselves of Stoke. And don't get them started on bloody Wigan. Let's face it, Ted Turnabuck, that loquacious Liverpool managing director, might have been shouted down over his comments about TV rights but he was only saying what the others are thinking. The elitist aim is to peddle their "product" to Sebastian the stockbroker, not Sid the plumber one day soon. Then schoolkids will do projects about football fans as an extinct species. So hang on to your programmes and memorabilia for your grandchildren.

Back in sunny Hertfordshire, meanwhile, Charlton proved dismally inadequate in dealing with the problems set for them by the up-and-under methods cheerfully used by the locals. A steady bombardment of skyscraper deliveries had been anticipated and The Boro didn't disappoint. They make no bones about their fundamentalism.

Some of their lusty wallops endangered low-flying air bird life but there's nothing illegal about their tactics. Neanderthal, yes, but not illegal. And it's up to their opponents to figure out a solution. Chris Powell had reacted to the aerial threat by benching excellent but diminutive right back Chris Solly in favour of towering centre back Leon Cort, with almost equally towering Michael Morrison moving over to cover Solly. Since Cort turned out to be Charlton's best player, the experiment met with qualified success but Solly's attacking instincts were missed. Better on reflection to make the opposition worry about your own strengths. Which might also be said to include Scott Wagstaff's pace and industry in front of his mate Solly, at the expense of the subdued Danny Green.

The 11th minute goal which separated the sides and inflicted on the table-topping visitors their first league defeat of the season ironically owed nothing to the airborne battering but just as ironically was scored by Stacy Long, a kid who learned his trade as an Academy Addick before being released. Long chanced his arm from 25 yards, enjoying a massive deflection which wrongfooted Ben Hamer on its way into the top right corner. Beaten in similar circumstances last week, Hamer is entitled to believe he's snakebitten.

Before the interval, Hamer got the better of Long in one-on-one confrontation after the sturdy midfielder broke clear on to Craig Reid's perceptive through ball. Charlton's best first half opportunity fell to aggressive left back Rhoys Wiggins, who combined with skipper Johnnie Jackson to elude Mark Roberts but shot scruffily wide with his weaker right foot.

Ten minutes after resumption, an even better chance was set up by Yann Kermorgant's cleverly headed pass, which sent Bradley Wright-Phillips accelerating away from Jon Ashton in the inside left channel. Drawing a bead on the opposite corner, the top scorer beat the advancing Chris Day with a low drive but missed the right post by a whisker. On his right foot, you'd have backed him to hit the target, not that footballers are happy to admit they have a weaker side. But they do, don't they? They're only human.

The scare was all the persuasion Stevenage needed to add strategic timewasting to their Battle of Britain game plan. Left back Scott Laird, for instance, made tortuous treks to take right wing corners while Day's mighty kicking became even longer and lustier. The Boro might, though, have doubled their lead had Ashton's header not directed Ronnie Henry's free kick against the bar. But Graham Westley's doughty men had already done enough to deservedly secure the points.

Suckered into fighting blitz with blitz, Charlton were left to ruefully ponder their obvious shortcomings. It's no a secret that sides will set out to bash them up legally and from time to time illegally. It's an unforgiving division out of which to climb and a first defeat in 13 games is hardly cause for despair but it remains to be seen how they react to this setback. Powell's thunderous brow at full-time probably means that the exchanges at next week's training will be lively. A fly on the wall would be advised to wear ear muffs.

Stevenage: Day, Roberts, Ashton, Henry, Laird, Wilson, Long (Shroot 68), Mousinho, Bostwick, Reid (Beardsley 56), Harrison (Byrom 81). Not used: Julian, Edwards.

Charlton: Hamer, Morrison, Taylor(Hayes 87), Cort, Wiggins, Green (Wagstaff 72), Hollands, Stephens (Evina 80),, Jackson, Kermorgant, Wright-Phillips. Not used: Sullivan, Solly.

Referee: Michael Naylor. Attendance: 4,724.