John Robinson's second-half goal boosted Charlton's First Division promotion hopes in a hard-fought game against Sheffield United.

Robinson struck two minutes after half-time to earn Alan Curbishley's side a vital victory which opens up an eight-point gap at the top of the table.

The Welsh internal arrived at the far post to sweep a low effort into the bottom corner following a deep cross from the right by Shaun Newton.

Neil Warnock's side had been unlucky in the first half as they looked to end Charlton's record-breaking nine-match winning streak in the league.

After just three minutes Marcus Bent was denied the opening goal when his far-post header was cleared off the line by Chris Howells.

Robinson then went close for Charlton when he dragged a low left-footed effort across the face of the United goal and also looked placed to score when he shot straight at Simon Tracey before Bent was denied a superb goal by the woodwork.

The Blades striker produced an excellent piece of skill before shooting low from 20 yards only for the ball to strike the base of the post and rebound away to safety.

Anthony Barness then had a 25-yard effort which deflected off Graham Stuart and flew just wide of goal.

On 47 minutes Robinson struck the opening goal but then was lucky to escape a second yellow card after he flung his arm into the face of United midfielder Michael Brown.

Wayne Quinn almost grabbed an equaliser following an intricate free-kick move which tested Charlton goalkeeper Dean Kiely.

Charlton pressed forward looking to double their lead, and Mark Kinsella almost struck with a fierce shot which Tracey could only beat away.

Quinn almost levelled the scores on 82 minutes with a left-footed volley from 20 yards which whistled inches wide of the Charlton upright.

Charlton substitute Martin Pringle then wasted a good chance to make certain of the win with a header from eight yards which flew just over the crossbar.

Teams:

Charlton: Kiely, Barness (Tiler 80), Powell, Stuart, Rufus, Newton, Kinsella, Hunt (Pringle 68), Robinson (Todd 89), Brown, Svensson.

Subs Not Used: Royce, Salako.

Booked: Robinson, Kinsella.

Goals: Robinson 47.

Sheff Utd: Tracey, Derry, Sandford, Kozluk, Quinn, Murphy, Ford (Ribeiro 78), Brown, Notman (D'Jaffo 60), Devlin, Bent.

Subs Not Used: Woodhouse, Duke, Jagielka.

Booked: Kozluk, Derry, Sandford.

Att: 19,249

Ref: P Danson (Leicester).