Charlton midfielder Nicky Bailey endured a manic five minutes as Doncaster sent Charlton a step closer to relegation from the Championship.

Bailey looked to have earned the hosts a vital point with a superb goal but then conceded a penalty to allow Brian Stock to give Rovers a deserved win which should ease any remaining fears of their own.

Earlier James Coppinger had flashed a fine strike inside the far post at the beginning of the second half to give Doncaster the lead their dominance merited.

Phil Parkinson's side are rooted to the bottom of the table and staring League One football in the face.

Sean O'Driscoll's Doncaster side won promotion from that division at Wembley just last May but their movement and passing on a cold and blustery evening was a world away from their hosts.

Doncaster began with their trademark one-touch passing but Charlton should have taken the lead in the 20th minute.

Jonjo Shelvey delivered a corner from the right which was won by captain Mark Hudson. His header back across the face of goal was flicked goalward by Tom Soares but the on-loan Stoke midfielder saw his header hit the crossbar.

Rovers did not panic however and their composed, patient build-up almost paid dividends.

A flowing move involving at least five players ended when Richie Wellens picked out Coppinger on the right.

He delivered a teasing cross which Paul Heffernan appeared destined to head in but centre-half Darren Ward provided a decisive touch to flick clear.

Wellens dragged a low shot wide at the beginning of the second period before he created the opener for Coppinger in the 50th minute.

Martin Woods floated a ball over the top where Wellens had ran in behind the defence. The former Blackpool midfielder chested down and picked out Coppinger's run with a deft backheel.

Coppinger still had a lot to do but squeezed in between two defenders and arced a glorious strike over goalkeeper Rob Elliot from the left of the area.

Parkinson responded by bringing on a second striker in the form of Deon Burton.

Burton had one shot well blocked by Matt Mills before Rovers skipper Stock came close to doubling the lead when his low 25-yarder was well tipped away by Elliot.

Time was running out for Parkinson's side but they claimed an equaliser out of nothing with 17 minutes remaining.

Shelvey's corner was headed away to the edge of the box where Bailey took a touch to control the ball before looping a shot into the side of the net with Sullivan stranded.

It was a fabulous strike which rejuvenated the Valley crowd but Bailey was the villain just five minutes later when he conceded a penalty.

A quick corner caught Charlton napping and after Coppinger teed up Wellens, Bailey slid in to block the anticipated shot.

However Wellens quickly shifted the ball out of his feet to induce a foul instead and referee Rob Styles had no option but to point to the spot.

Stock stepped up and emphatically smashed the ball into the right-hand corner.

Chris Dickson had the best chance to claim another equaliser for the Addicks but he headed wide from six yards.

Teams

Charlton Elliot, Butterfield, Hudson, Ward,Youga (Ambrose 79), Soares (Sam 60), Racon, Spring (Burton 60),Bailey, Shelvey, Dickson.

Subs Not Used: Randolph, Holland.

Booked: Racon, Ambrose.

Goals: Bailey 73.

Doncaster Sullivan, Chambers, Mills, Hird, Roberts,Spicer (Lockwood 85), Stock, Wellens, Woods,Coppinger (Shiels 90), Heffernan (Price 81).

Subs Not Used: Hayter, Wilson.

Booked: Chambers, Coppinger, Spicer.

Goals: Coppinger 50, Stock 78 pen.

Att: 20,815

Ref: Rob Styles (Hampshire).