FOR the first 70 minutes of this game, Charlton played the stylish football they hope will not only take them into the Premiership, but keep them there.

And despite a nailbiting climax, which saw Wolves bare their teeth and threaten to score, Clive Mendonca's eighth-minute header was enough to secure a vital victory.

This win sent the Addicks leapfrogging over Middlesborough into third place in Division One, and all-but destroyed Wolves' hopes of reaching the play-offs. Charlton boss Alan Curbishley said: "The football we played was some of the best we have played all season.

"For 70 minutes I thought we were on fire and they did well to live with it. After that a few gitters came into it. It was a little bit scary towards the end."

Confident Clive's 21st goal of the season came after Keith Jones fed Shaun Newton in his familiar role hugging the right flank. Newton took one touch and crossed in towards Mendonca who beat everyone in the air and nodded the ball past Wolves' keeper Hans Segers near post.

The Reds dominated the early play, and could have put the game out of reach by half-time.

Newton, Mendonca, and new-boy Danny Mills all forced saves from Segers, and Charlton captain Mark Kinsella came close with a 35-yard effort which went over the bar.

Curbishley has built up a strong squad, and with Mark Bright out injured, Steve Jones impressed as Mendonca's strike partner.

Wolves stepped up their game after the break and Charlton could have thrown it away in the last 20 minutes.

The Londoners managed to scramble away a succession of corners. Dougie Freedman, who had replaced Don Goodman up front, forced a save from Charlton keeper Sasa Ilic after a slip-up by centre-back Eddie Youds.

Neil Heaney came on for Charlton in injury time, and was slotted a delightful ball which gave him a chance to finish Wolves off, but he fired his shot right at Segers.

"This was just the right time to put a run of games together," said Curbishley after the Addicks' seventh win in nine matches.

"Anyone coming to the Valley at the moment must be expecting a tough game."

q The News Shopper went to press before Friday's Charlton vs Reading game.

Thomas Worden

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