Charlton 2 Norwich 0

ANDY REID’S conversion from figure of fun to Charlton folk hero continued apace on Tuesday night when he coolly despatched two penalties in the final five minutes to elevate the Addicks to third in the Championship.

Ridiculed over his weight and persistent injury problems last season, the new Charlton skipper won the acclaim of supporters, who were chanting his name by the end of another pulsating match.

Charlton, who were at their fluent best with a performance rated the season’s finest yet by manager Alan Pardew, looked likely to be held by Norwich until the 85th minute when quicksilver substitute Izale McLeod was tripped by Gary Doherty.

Reid gave goalkeeper David Marshall no chance from the resulting penalty. Two minutes later, when the lively McLeod was tripped again, this time by Julien Breller, up stepped Reid to increase the lead from the spot.

A thrilling finale ended on a sour note in stoppage time when Norwich veteran central defender Dion Dublin was sent-off by referee Jarnail Singh following a skirmish with Charlton right-back Danny Mills.

Norwich manager Peter Grant was afterwards scathing in his condemnation of Mills. “It left a bad taste,” he said

But Norwich could have no complaints about the outcome having been thoroughly outplayed for long periods.

Chris Iwelumo saw an 11th minute header hit the bar and then Reid was out of luck with a 69th minute free-kick that rattled the crossbar.

“Everybody played a part in an excellent team performance,” said Pardew.