Charlton kept the pressure on First Division leaders Manchester City with a hard-fought victory over Nottingham Forest at The Valley.

David Platt's improving visitors belied their league position to dominate for long stretches.

But the home side scored their goals - through Greg Shields, John Robinson and Andy Hunt - at crucial times.

Scottish full-back Shields gave them the perfect start with a stunning opener.

He hit a rising drive from 25 yards which arrowed beyond Dave Beasant and into the top corner after Forest had only half-cleared a Graham Stuart corner.

But Forest did not buckle and with the impressive prompting of 18-year-old David Prutton in midfield they took the game to Charlton.

Prutton himself put two shots wide before Andy Johnson wasted an easier chance from 15 yards midway through the half.

Beasant was called on to make an instinctive save from Martin Pringle after a slick Charlton move involving Hunt and Robinson.

Forest began the second half strongly but could not find the crucial equaliser, although Chris Bart-Williams and Marlon Harewood both came close from long range.

Charlton were showing the nerves of a side who had won just one of their last four home games, and it was a huge relief for the home crowd when Robinson got the vital second with 20 minutes left, collecting Hunt's square pass and hitting a low shot past Beasant's left hand.

Within seven minutes the victory was put beyond question when Hunt cut in from the right flank to hit another low drive past Beasant from 10 yards.

The scoreline flattered Charlton, but Forest could simply not score.

Even when livewire striker Stern John beat the Charlton back line and lobbed Dean Kiely, Shields was lurking to clear the ball off the line.

Andy Todd nearly capped Charlton's win with a fourth in injury time, but Beasant pushed away his volley after good work from substitute Charlie MacDonald.

Teams:

Charlton: Kiely, Shields, Rufus, Brown, Powell, Newton, Stuart (Parker 81), Todd, Robinson, Pringle (MacDonald 79), Hunt (Salako 88).

Subs Not Used: Barness, Ilic.

Goals: Shields 6, Stuart 70, Hunt 77.

Nottm Forest: Beasant, Hjelde, Dawson, Scimeca, Gray, Prutton, Bart-Williams, Johnson (Williams 79), Brennan, John, Harewood (Freedman 69).

Subs Not Used: Merino, Crossley, Cooper.

Booked: Harewood, Prutton, Hjelde, John.

Att: 19,787

Ref: K Lynch (Kirk Hammerton).