Charlton 3 Birmingham 1

FIFTEEN minutes from the end of an absorbing game, Danny Murphy scored probably the most beautifully crafted goal The Valley will see all season.

Charlton made a lightning quick break from deep within their own half. Jerome Thomas slipped a pass through to substitute Francis Jeffers who played Murphy into space. The midfielder took careful aim before burying the ball in the corner of the net giving Birmingham goalkeeper Maik Taylor no chance.

More than 700 Kent-based football fans descended on The Valley, many for the first time, as part of Charlton's marketing strategy to win their hearts and minds.

They will almost certainly return as Charlton set about winning new fans and influencing plenty more.

Victory moved Charlton into 7th place in the Premiership table and this was the club's first home win against the Blues since October 1999.

It was thoroughly deserved, even if the outcome hung in the balance until Murphy's goal, his first in the Premiership for the Addicks.

More important, after a couple of hiccups, Charlton looked thoroughly accomplished.

To Birmingham's credit, they attempted to engage Charlton on their own skilful terms, and the quality of their counter-attacking held the issue in doubt until the 75th minute.

We have reached that stage of the season where Charlton manager Alan Curbishley announces the club have no chance of qualifying for Europe next season.

He did not disappoint. "We've got a lot of tough games coming up. Nobody's going to give us anything," he said.

But last season, supporters were forced to watch in horror as key midfielder Scott Parker was sold to big-spending Chelsea. It is unlikely a similar disturbance will disrupt the squad this time around and that is fuelling optimism in the stands.

On Saturday, Charlton were able to profit from what Birmingham manager Steve Bruce described as "woeful defending".

A bizarre goal handed Charlton the lead after nine minutes as Talal El Karkouri's 35-yard free kick drifted over the Birmingham defence and out of reach of the flat-footed Taylor.

At the other end, striker Shaun Bartlett showed his defensive qualities by heading off the line from Stephen Clemence in the 20th minute.

Seven minutes later Taylor went some way to redeeming himself when he tipped over a flying header from El Karkouri following Murphy's corner.

Mario Melchiot's first goal for the club drew Birmingham level when he headed home Darren Anderton's 54th minute corner.

Charlton wobbled until the 66th minute when Jeffers outwitted the pedestrian Matthew Upson and crossed low for Bartlett to turn the ball in at the far post.

Charlton went close to adding a third courtesy of Oliver Tebily in the 71st minute when he sent an intended clearance from Hermann Hreidarsson's cross a whisker away from his own goal.

Charlton: Kiely, Young, El Karkouri, Fortune, Hreidarsson, Holland, Hughes (Konchesky 73), Murphy, Rommedahl (Jeffers 63), Thomas (Kishishev 79), Barlett. Subs Not Used: Andersen, Johansson.

Attendance: 26,111.