Two Clive Mendonca penalties, bringing his season's goal total to 25, gave Charlton victory against Tranmere and kept alive their automatic promotion hopes.

It was the London club's 11th win in 13 matches and their eighth on the trot - a new club record. And Charlton's two goals brought their goals tally to 80, their best for 37 years.

In a first half full of open football both teams missed good opportunities.

But the only goal, in the 11th minute, came from the penalty spot after Richard Rufus had been tripped by Clint Hill. Mendonca was unerring from the spot.

Earlier Micky Mellon missed an excellent chance for Tranmere blazing wide of the target after beating the offside trap.

Poor defending by Danny Mills led to Mellon doing better in the 17th minute, forcing a good save from Sasa Ilic.

Before the break, Ilic saved well at Andrew Parkinson's feet and a Kenny Irons shot looked goalbound until Mark Bowen's boot deflected the effort over the bar.

Shaun Newton missed a good chance in the 20th minute, Steve Simonsen saved well from a Mark Wright header, and the Tranmere keeper's legs kept out a close-range deflection from his own full-back Andy Thompson.

Charlton's slender advantage came under pressure again in the 57th minute, Ilic having to make a tremendous save to keep out a close range John McGreal effort.

The Londoners however built up a two-goal cushion in the 63rd minute when they converted another penalty.

Referee Paul Regar allowed a good advantage when Bowen was obstructed and when Neil Heaney advanced into the area, he was chopped down by Dariusz Kubicki. Again Mendonca made no mistake, calmly stroking home his 25th goal of the season and his seventh from the penalty spot.

Charlton, however, had a potentially damaging let-off when Ilic charged out of his goal to pull down Parkinson. The Australian born keeper was clearly relieved when only the yellow card was shown.

But Tranmere were still looking out for something from the game and went close in the 82nd minute when Parkinson shot inches wide after good work from John Morrissey.

However, it was Charlton attacking in the closing minute, searching for more goals in an attempt to close the gap on Sunderland's total.

Three minutes from time, substitute Kevin Lisbie netted from close range but he was marginally offside.

Teams

Charlton: Ilic, Mills, Bowen, Jones (Brown 71), Rufus, Youds, Newton (Lisbie 78), Kinsella, Bright, Mendonca, Heaney (Balmer 89).

Booked: Ilic.

Goals: Mendonca 11 pen, 63 pen.

Tranmere: Simonsen, Kubicki, Thompson, McGreal, Hill, Irons (Morrissey 54), Mahon (L. Jones 54), Mellon, G. Jones, O'Brien, Parkinson.

Subs Not Used: Morgan.

Booked: Hill.

Att: 15,393

Ref: P Rejer (Tipton).