Football: Leaburn sees off Albion

Charlton Athletic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

West Bromwich Albion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

CHARLTON missed a host of chances and had to work hard to secure a slender First Division victory over West Bromwich at a packed Valley yesterday.

Charlton, after surviving an early scare when Steve Brown appeared to bring down Stacy Coldicott in the area, completely dominated most of the game but their finishing was woeful although Tony Lange had to make fine saves to deny Carl Leaburn and Mark Robson.

But the Londoners finally broke the deadlock in the 49th minute when Alan Pardew met a Mark Robson cross to head past Lange from close range.

Albion fought hard, however, and Mike Salmon was called upon to save efforts from Keiran O'Regan and Len Ashcroft. Charlton secured the points when Leaburn headed home Colin Walsh's corner two minutes from time, although Albion hit back immediately with a fine Ian Hamilton goal.

Charlton Athletic: Salmon; Brown, Minto, Pardew, Chapple, McLeary, Grant (Nelson, 65), Pitcher, Leaburn, Walsh, Robson. Substitutes not used: Robinson, Vaughan (gk).

West Bromwich Albion: Lange; Burgess, Lilwall, Mardon, Raven, Ashcroft, Coldicott (Fereday, 67), O'Regan, Taylor (Strodder, 74), Mellon, Hamilton. Substitute not used: Naylor (gk).

Referee: G Willard (Worthing).