Charlton Athletic consolidated their place in the League One Play-Offs with an impressive 2-1 victory over promotion rivals Portsmouth at The Valley.
The Addicks were the better side in the opening exchanges, spurning a host of chances before deservedly taking a 41st minute lead through Joe Aribo’s excellently drilled low angle shot.
But the lead was short-lived as Ronan Curtis powered home an unstoppable header from a Lee Brown corner on the stroke of half-time.
The second period opened with Portsmouth’s Curtis once again having the ball in the back of the net – only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
Charlton then restored their lead in the 51st minute as Ben Reeves found Lyle Taylor who made no mistake with his neat close-range finish to make it 2-1.
Pompey improved as they searched for an equaliser; a dipping Curtis volley forcing Charlton keeper Dillon Phillips into a fine save before Brett Pitman’s curling effort was inches over and Jamal Lowe’s stoppage-time time attempt was blocked.
In the end Charlton hung on for a result which sees the fifth-placed Addicks close the gap on fourth-placed Pompey to just two points.