Alan Pardew's men had slipped to defeats against Preston and Wolves in their last two outings and came into this clash under some scrutiny.

But they emerged victorious courtesy of Andy Gray's fourth goal of the season early in the first half, although they were fortunate to hold on in the face of some intense Doncaster pressure for most of the game.

As it was, Doncaster's attack failed to provide the cutting edge that Gray offered their visitors, but manager Sean O'Driscoll will surely feel the volume of chances created by his side was worthy of at least a point.

There appeared to be little danger when Jonathan Fortune floated a hopeful free-kick long into the box on three minutes, only for Gray to take everyone by surprise with an innocuous flick header that looped over Doncaster's Neil Sullivan and into the net.

Even at that early stage the goal came against the run of play, as Doncaster had nearly gone ahead in the opening minute when Nicky Weaver pushed James Hayter's drive into the path of Lewis Guy who would have scored on the rebound were it not for Martin Cranie's fine block.

Luke Varney almost followed up Gray's effort with a second for the visitors moments later with a long-range effort that crept over the bar, but beyond that Doncaster dominated until half-time and for most of the game.

Sean O'Driscoll's side remained the most industrious of the two sides and registered more than enough efforts on goal, even though they were often void of any real conviction.

Brian Stock and Hayter both saw efforts mopped up by Weaver, while their best chance came when Hayter saw his close-range header inadvertently blocked by Guy.

Doncaster: Sullivan, O'Connor, Hird, Mills, Roberts, Coppinger, Stock, Wellens, Hayter (Byfield 72), Taylor (Elliott 78), Guy (Heffernan 90). Unused substitutes: Chambers, Van Nieuwstadt.

Charlton: Weaver, Cranie, Hudson, Fortune, Youga, Sam (Basey 81), Bailey, Holland, Bouazza, Varney, Gray. Unused substitutes: Elliot, Primus, Dickson, Shelvey.

Referee: N Miller (Durham).