John Robinson's goal earned Charlton a club record ninth successive league victory as they continued their march towards the Premiership.

Robinson struck midway through the second half to earn a deserved three points which extended the London club's lead at the top of the First Division to seven points.

Alan Curbishley's side dominated for much of the match and Fulham's own play-off ambitions took a severe blow as they lost another game away from home.

Charlton started the brighter, Shaun Newton going close with a 17th-minute header which deflected off Terry Phelan over the crossbar.

Geoff Horsfield and Lee Clark both went close for Fulham as Paul Bracewell's side looked to score their first league goal in open play for almost 15 hours.

On 32 minutes Martin Pringle then wasted a great chance to fire Charlton in the lead when he hesitated after being put through by Newton and Maik Taylor was able to save.

Two minutes after the break only a fine last-ditch tackle from Richard Rufus denied Horsfield a clear shot on goal and soon after Phelan dragged another effort wide for Fulham.

Clark then tested Dean Kiely with a 25-yard volley before Charlton opened the scoring on 63 minutes.

Good work on the right allowed Newton to cross for Andy Hunt to head towards goal and Robinson slammed home the rebound after the initial effort had been saved by Taylor.

Two minutes later Kevin Ball was denied an equaliser by a superb save from Kiely, who dived full length to his right to chip the ball away for a corner.

Eight minutes from time Kiely again had to be alert to grasp a sharp volley from Barry Hayles as Fulham continued to press forward looking for an equaliser.

And deep in stoppage time Steve Finnan should have levelled the scores but he shot tamely at Kiely when unmarked 12 yards out.

Teams

Charlton: Kiely, Barness (Tiler 55), Powell, Stuart, Rufus, Newton, Hunt, Robinson, Brown, Pringle (Svensson 52), Todd.

Subs Not Used: Ilic, Konchesky, Salako.

Booked: Robinson.

Goals: Robinson 63.

Fulham: Taylor, Melville, Coleman, Morgan, Finnan, Clark (Davis 84), Ball (Hayward 84), Goldbaek (Riedle 76), Phelan, Horsfield, Hayles.

Subs Not Used: Symons, Hahnemann.

Booked: Finnan.

Att: 19,940

Ref: A Hall (Birmingham).