Jonatan Johansson's two spectacular goals and a Jason Euell penalty were enough for Charlton Athletic to see off a spirited challenge from Third Division Exeter City in the FA Cup third round at The Valley.

The Grecians battled back from a goal down to equalise shortly after the interval through Brazilian defender Santos Gaia's bullet header, but the Addicks refused to panic and their class eventually told.

But brave Exeter, 22nd in the league's basement division, can hold their heads up high after causing the Premiership side more than a few moments of discomfort in an exciting, old-fashioned cup tie full of chances at both ends.

After dominating the early exchanges, Charlton went ahead in the 25th minute when Chris Bart-Williams, who replaced the suspended Scott Parker, swung in a free-kick from the left.

Shaun Bartlett headed the ball into the path of Johansson who executed a perfect overhead kick into the bottom corner of the net from eight yards out.

But the Grecians almost equalised a minute later when Martin Thomas was unlucky to hit the post with another acrobatic effort from the edge of the penalty area which beat home goalkeeper Dean Kiely and Steve Flack could only hit the rebound high and wide.

City did equalise four minutes after the restart when Gaia sent a powerful, bullet header into the top right corner of the net when he rose unchallenged to meet Gareth Sheldon's free-kick, sending around 3,000 travelling fans behind the goal into ecstatic celebrations.

This only served to act as a wake-up call to the home side who came through an uncomfortable 10-minute spell to retake the lead on the hour with another acrobatic Johansson effort.

Bartlett was again the provider when he met a long ball which he headed into Johansson's path and the Finn performed another stunning overhead kick on the penalty spot, giving Miller no chance.

Five minutes later, the inspirational Euell confirmed the Addicks' place in round four when he broke free through the middle and put the ball through to Johansson, who went down after a tangle with George Pilkington just inside the penalty area.

And Euell, who moments earlier had struck the outside of the post with a fierce 20-yard drive, was on hand to stroke the spot-kick into the bottom corner of the net for his eighth goal of the season which gave his side the two-goal cushion they had been seeking.

Exeter had their chances earlier in the game, with Sheldon coming close when he fired a scorching volley narrowly wide of Kiely's post as the Grecians showed they were not overawed by the occasion.

Those chances came after Charlton had started brightly and Bartlett had a goal ruled out for offside while Johansson missed a good chance from close range.

The home side will be relieved to reach round four after slipping up against Walsall last season, but Exeter can take heart from their performance as they fully deserved the standing ovation they received from the home crowd at The Valley as they left the pitch.

Teams:

Charlton: Kiely, Young, Fortune, Rufus, Konchesky, Kishishev, Euell, Bart-Williams, Blomqvist (Lisbie 76), Johansson (Svensson 77), Bartlett.

Subs Not Used: Rachubka, Fish, Jensen.

Booked: Bartlett.

Goals: Johansson 25, 61, Euell 72 pen.

Exeter: Miller, Hiley, Pilkington, Gaia, Pettefer, Coppinger, Thomas, Cronin, Walker (Moor 77), Flack, Sheldon (McConnell 84).

Subs Not Used: Fraser, Power, Ampadu.

Booked: Walker.

Goals: Gaia 49.

Att: 18,107

Ref: P Dowd (Staffordshire).