Doncaster 0 Charlton 1

Andy Gray's fourth goal of the season secured Charlton first away win as they took Doncaster?s unbeaten home record on Tuesday?s debut to the Keepmoat Stadium.

Manager Alan Pardew, who had heaped pressure on his players by declaring that it was ?absolutely essential? that they extracted some reward on the night, saw an unchanged side make a positive response to his plea.

As in Saturday?s 3-1 home defeat by Wolves, the Addicks took an early lead when Gray headed Jonathan Fortune?s free-kick wide of goalkeeper Neil Sullivan, who appeared to misjudge the flight of the ball, in the third minute.

In contrast to matches against Preston and Wolves, this time the Addicks clung defiantly to their slender advantage in a powerful show of character that left Pardew highly satisfied.

He said: ?Last season we struggled against the promoted teams, so this result bodes well for the future. After what happened against Wolves I was pleased for the players who made a solid declaration of intent.

?Doncaster play a fluid game and we were comfortable to let them do so while restricting them in the final third.

?The win was just the tonic we needed.?

Victory was only the team?s third away from The Valley in 2008.

Before Gray struck the game?s deciding goal, Doncaster had gone close to taking a first-minute lead when goalkeeper Nicky Weaver pushed James Hayter?s drive into the path of Lewis Guy who would have scored on the rebound but for Martin Cranie?s fine block.

Luke Varney went close to increasing Charlton?s lead in the 10th minute with a long- range attempt that Sullivan was pleased to see clear the bar.

Though Gray and Lloyd Sam were lively on the break, Doncaster dominated for long periods but found Charlton skipper Mark Hudson and Fortune resolute at the heart of the defence.

Charlton were content to soak up Doncaster?s pressure while attempting to hit them on the break. In the end, the home side ran out of ideas to leave Charlton clutching three precious points which moved them up to eighth in the Coca-Cola Championship.

Charlton: Weaver, Cranie, Fortune, Hudson, Youga, Sam (Basey 81mins), Bailey, Holland, Bouazza, Gray, Varney. Subs not used: Elliot, Primus, Shelvey, Dickson. Attendance: 10,483.