Charlton 1 Wigan 0

DARREN BENT kept his nerve to convert an 86th penalty as Charlton moved to within a point of safety in the Barclays Premier League at a tension-filled Valley on Saturday.

The England international kept his composure to beat Wigan goalkeeper John Filan after Fitz Hall was judged to have fouled substitute Marcus Bent.

Manager Alan Pardew, whose side are now one point adrift of Sheffield United and three behind Wigan, admitted: "By no stretch of the imagination did we play well but these are a massive three points.

"The character of the side shone through."

It was the first time the Addicks have managed back-to-back home wins in the Premier League in 65 attempts.

There was little to choose between the two sides in the first half in a match of few goalscoring opportunities.

But Wigan dominated the second but could find no way through a rock-solid home defence.

Bent took his chance for his 10th league goal of the season from the disputed penalty which left Wigan boss Paul Jewell fuming afterwards.

Charlton: Carson; Young, El Karkouri, Diawara, Hreidarsson; Rommedahl, Holland, Song, Thomas; D Bent, Zheng. Substitutions: M Bent for Rommedahl, 46 mins, Ambrose for Holland 71 mins, Faye for Ambrose 86 mins.

Attendance: 26,500