Charlton's first win in eight games boosted their dwindling play off hopes and pushed sorry Stoke into serious relegation danger.

Off colour Stoke, who have failed to win any of manager Chris Kamara's seven games in charge, were booed off the field after a disjointed display.

Stoke had started brightly enough with Charlton's debutante goalkeeper Sasa Ilic less than comfortable in the opening stages.

But John Robinson rocked the home fans when he gave Charlton the lead with their first strike on goal in the 17th minute.

Stoke were caught dozing as Robinson raced unchallenged onto Mark Bowen's throw to rifle a shot which took a wicked deflection before looping beyond Carl Muggleton.

Charlton, with towering centre back Phil Chapple and Stuart Balmer in commanding form, took charge before Stoke gained a life line with a memorable goal three minutes before the break.

Kevin Keen took a short free kick after Kyle Lightbourne was tripped and Graham Kavanagh bent in a splendid right foot shot from 16 yards.

The opening stages of the second half were dreadful with neither side able to string two passes together.

And it took a surging run from winger Tony Scully, playing his last game on loan before returning to Manchester City, to stir the home crowd.

Stoke brought on their top scorer Peter Thorne. Returning after a rib injury he replaced Keen to rapturous applause in the 65th minute.

But Charlton had sensed the Potters were completely out of sorts and struck a deserved winner through Anthony Barness eight minutes later.

Robinson's pass found Barness in acres of space and he netted at the second attempt after Muggleton blocked his initial shot.

Teams

Stoke: Muggleton, Pickering (Tweed 84), Tiatto, Sigurdsson, Whittle, Scully, Keen (Thorne 65), Wallace, Crowe, Lightbourne, Kavanagh.

Subs Not Used: Heath.

Booked: Wallace.

Goals: Kavanagh 42.

Charlton: Ilic, Brown, Bowen, Jones, Chapple, Balmer, Barness, Kinsella, Robinson, Mendonca, Lisbie (Newton 63).

Subs Not Used: Parker, Allen.

Booked: Jones.

Goals: Robinson 17, Barness 73.

Att: 10,027

Ref: R D Furnandiz (Doncaster).