Venables on brink after Parker's late solo strike

Leeds United 1 Charlton Athletic

Champions' League semi-finalists under David O'Leary's management 18 months ago, Leeds' target for the current campaign is fast becoming one one of avoiding relegation to the Nationwide League after two goals in the final 10 minutes made Charlton the fifth consecutive visitors to leave Elland Road with maximum points.

The position of O'Leary's successor, Terry Venables, becomes more untenable with each setback. The former England manager refused to discuss his security of tenure after Charlton completed their fightback with Scott Parker's stoppage-time solo goal, yet he insisted in the programme that he would not "throw in the towel".

Leeds' £78m debts would make it difficult for them to pay up the remaining season and a half of Venables' £2m-a-year contract. However, the point may be approaching where results dictate that Peter Ridsdale, for all his indignant protests of support, may have to consider the greater losses First Division football would bring.

The Leeds crowd were more supportive than for many weeks, striving to inspire their side to protect the lead secured by a marvellous goal by Harry Kewell late in the first half. Even after Kevin Lisbie equalised, they whipped up a barrage of noise and were almost rewarded when Michael Bridges' shot came out off a post.

Two weeks earlier, when Bolton also snatched a last-minute success at Leeds, the fans sang "Time to go" as Venables made his way from the dug-out amid a storm of booing. Parker's winner provoked less dissent, but, while Venables' team did show signs of improvement, Charlton would not have left it so late but for the excellence of Paul Robinson in the Leeds goal.

Not for the first time, Venables reacted to a defeat by declaring that Leeds are "not that far away". He added: "Our football was much more confident and we were moving the ball around quicker, which came from the crowd. They were excellent, from the first minute to the end."

Following their battling draw at Malaga in the Uefa Cup on Thursday, Venables had named an unchanged side for the first time. On the bench he had four players who went to the World Cup finals, including Robbie Fowler for the first time since he sustained a hip injury last spring.

The stage looked set for Leeds to edge above Charlton into mid-table, and there was a fresh sense of urgency about the way they started. Kewell, enjoying one of his more animated matches, dragged a shot wide after a long, twisting run from his own half, while Eirik Bakke's header was hacked off the line by Jason Euell.

Increasingly, though, Robinson was the busier keeper. He rode his luck when Shaun Bartlett headed Peter Konchesky's corner against the bar in the 13th minute, but was agile when tipping over Lisbie's volley and stood firm to keep out two efforts by Euell as half-time approached.

Just when Charlton appeared to be taking control, Leeds stole in front. Kewell, apparently angered after Parker's elbow caught him on the head and went unpunished, made an untypically strong challenge to dispossess Gary Rowett. Stephen McPhail sent the Australian running at goal, and from 25 yards out Kewell unleashed a ferocious left-footed drive high into the net.

Charlton continued to create the better chances, but seemed unlikely to add to their impressive away record until Bartlett's header set up Lisbie to volley his first goal of the season. Enter Fowler and Bridges, cue belated home pressure, but after Bridges had shaken the woodwork, Parker did the same to Leeds.

Jinking his way through no fewer than four challenges – and with his manager, Alan Curbishley, screaming at him to "pass the bloody thing" – Parker suddenly found himself 12 yards from goal. The defiant Robinson had no answer as he conjured a finish to match the slalom.

"We've lost so many games when we deserved something, so I was wondering if it was going to be that way again," Curbishley said as he savoured a third straight win. Pressed about Leeds' predicament – they now lie 16th – he conceded that "everything" seemed to be going against Venables, but added ominously: "It's a long season and I wouldn't say that anyone is too good to go down."

Goals: Kewell (42) 1-0; Lisbie (80) 1-1; Parker (90) 1-2.

Leeds United (4-4-2): Robinson 7; Kelly 6, Duberry 5, Woodgate 6, Harte 5; Bowyer 6 (Fowler, 82), McPhail 5 (Bridges, 82), Bakke 6, Wilcox 5; Smith 6, Kewell 7. Substitutes not used: Lucic, Mills, Martyn (gk).

Charlton Athletic (4-4-2): Kiely 6; Young 6, Rowett 6, Fish 5 (Fortune 5, 20), Powell 6; Kishishev 6 (Jensen, 74), Parker 7, Euell 7, Konchesky 6; Bartlett 6 (Svensson, 90), Lisbie 5. Substitutes not used: Bart-Williams, Roberts (gk).

Referee: A D'Urso (Billericay) 6.

Bookings: Leeds: Wilcox. Charlton: Parker.

Man of the match: Parker.

Attendance: 35,547.