CHARLTON'S reserves were denied the opportunity to become undisputed kings of England after losing the inaugural second-string play-off showdown at The Valley.

The Addicks, winners of the Barclays Premier Reserve League (South), took on Manchester United, who won the northern section of the same league, in what was the first ever decider between the two championship winners.

But while coach Glynn Snodin was desperate to add more silverware to The Valley's trophy cabinet after securing his second successive title at the beginning of April, the Red Devils were a class above their London counterparts and ran out comfortable 4-2 winners.

Impressive young striker Giuseppe Rossi, 18, was the matchwinner for United scoring a brilliant hat-trick, while midfielder David Jones was also on target.

Snodin was afforded the luxury of including a smattering of first-team experience in the side with Shaun Bartlett, Jerome Thomas and Mark Fish all given starting places in front on the 7,102 crowd.

But it didn't tip the scales in Charlton's favour and United took an early lead through Rossi, who curled a delightful shot into the far corner.

Jones made it 2-0 after the break with a fine free-kick before a penalty from Lloyd Sam, four days before he made his first-team debut, pulled the deficit back to one.

But Rossi grabbed two more in the next 20 minutes before Addicks youngster James Walker to score a late consolation.