Scott Parker's first senior goal was enough to earn Charlton a battling victory and extend their lead at the top of the First Division to 16 points.

Alan Curbishley's side now stand just two victories away from guaranteeing automatic promotion to the Premiership after a hard-earned victory over their London rivals.

Parker struck with three minutes remaining to earn the three points just six minutes after Rangers had levelled the scores through Gareth Taylor.

Curbishley's side had taken the lead on two minutes through Shaun Newton and had seemed on course for a comfortable victory after dominating most of the game.

But when Taylor equalised on 81 minutes the home side seemed destined to stutter in their attempts to gain an instant return to the top flight.

But Parker, who had only been on the pitch for three minutes, turned in a close range shot from Andy Hunt's cross to secure victory for Charlton.

Newton's second minute goal came after the midfielder had seen his first effort blocked by Karl Ready but he adjusted quickly to drive his second effort into the top corner.

Mark Kinsella and Steve Brown both went close with long range efforts as the leaders looked to increase their advantage.

Newton then came close to adding his second goal with a left foot shot which curled just wide of the Rangers goal.

But nine minutes from time the visitors were gifted an equaliser when goalkeeper Dean Kiely flapped as he attempted to catch Paul Bruce's left wing cross and Taylor was on hand to head home his first goal for the club.

Rangers looked destined to earn a share of the spoils until Parker arrived into the penalty area to sidefoot his shot past Lee Harper for the winning goal.

Teams:

Charlton: Kiely, Barness (Parker 84), Rufus, Brown, Powell, Newton (Tiler 78), Stuart, Kinsella, Robinson, Hunt, Svensson (Kitson 72).

Subs Not Used: Royce, Salako.

Booked: Brown, Powell.

Goals: Newton 2, Parker 87.

QPR: Harper, Perry, Ready, Bruce, Baraclough, Murray (Peacock 46), Wardley, Darlington (Gallen 58), Langley, Kiwomya, Beck (Taylor 46).

Subs Not Used: Miklosko, Kulcsar.

Booked: Ready, Darlington, Kiwomya.

Goals: Taylor 81.

Att: 19,617

Ref: G Frankland (Middlesbrough).