Birmingham home. What was the score? Won 2-0 When we signed Darren Bent I had some reservations, I said in my post dated June 1st, 2005 that "he is not an out and out goalscorer," just shows what I know because he put that 2nd goal away on Saturday like an absolute dream. Charlton fans have not seen a striker this good since the days of Super Clive. I could watch that goal, and the pace that left Melchiot treading in glue, over and over again. I understand the buzz around The Valley after his goal was that of seeing someone in a red shirt do something very, very special. He is an absolute gem and we should be very proud of him and credit the manager that snappled him up and not some of the other strikers that we were all banging on about last summer.

I was glued to Sky with one eye on the scores and one eye on the clock when Jeff Stelling announced that we were heading to The Valley because there has been a late goal. "Have Birmingham snatched a late equaliser?" Jeff suggested with a grin. My heart sank until Alan McInally told me that Darren Bent had raced away to score. Game over. I wish they wouldn't do that.

A Hughes goal from a set-piece and a clean sheet but overall a poor game, with us defending very deeply again for long periods of the match but a massive 3 points when, not for the first time, the win was more important than the performance. But then again there was that Bent goal, a lesson to anyone that leaves football matches early.

Reports from those that were there: Addicks Diary; cafc.co.uk; Sunday Times; All Quiet; Charlton Athletic Online.  ¶ 11:23