Charlton consolidated their third position in the First Division with an easy
win over relegation candidates Reading who lost their ninth successive away
match.
It was Charlton's 19th successive home match without defeat, their fifth win
on the run, their best run for nearly seven years - and they increased their
points tally to a club record 78.
Charlton, playing well within themselves, built up a comfortable interval
lead. They opened the scoring in the sixth minute with goalkeeper Sasa Ilic
claiming a major assist.
His enormous kick bounced into the Reading penalty area and Clive Mendonca
controlled the ball neatly, then turned to slam home from six yards.
It was Mendonca's 22nd goal of the season and he became the first Charlton
player since Mike Flanagan 21 years ago to score 20 league goals in a campaign.
Reading skipper Scott Howie did well to keep out efforts from Mendonca and
Danny Mills but was beaten in the 40th minute when a Steve Jones shot slammed
against the bar.
Charlton increased their lead four minutes later when Paul Mortimer fired home
a great free-kick from the edge of the box after Mills had been tripped by
Darren Caskey.
Although Reading were rarely in the picture before the break, Jimmy Crawford
tricked his way through in the 13th minute to force a good save from Ilic.
Two minutes into the second-half Reading missed a half chance, James Lambert
slamming the ball high over the bar.
Reading's best effort came in the 52nd minute when Ilic was at full stretch to
tip behind a well-struck Lambert free-kick.
Ilic was again in action three minutes later keeping out a Crawford header.
Charlton were pinned back for a time but broke quickly and Howie again did
well to deny both Shaun Newton and Steve Jones.
To their credit, Reading kept on battling but Robert Fleck twice missed
reasonable chances.
Charlton added to the Royals misery in the 79th minute when substitute Mark
Bright met Newton's cross at the near post to head home his seventh goal of the
season.
It was Bright's 207th senior goal in a 17-year career.
Teams
Charlton: Ilic, Mills, Barness, K. Jones, Rufus, Youds, Newton,
Kinsella (Brown 80), S. Jones (Bright 74), Mendonca,
Mortimer (Heaney 74).
Booked: Barness, Youds, S. Jones.
Goals: Mendonca 6, Mortimer 44, Bright 79.
Reading: Howie, Bernal, Legg (Meaker 13), Crawford, Parkinson,
Gray, Fleck (Morley 77), Caskey, McIntyre (Brayson 45), O`Neill,
Lambert.
Booked: Caskey.
Att: 14,220
Ref: M E Pierce (Portsmouth).
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