Typical Easter weather at The Valley, decidely chilly and tipping it down with rain.

Chris Powell wisely decided to freshen his side up after Saturday’s exertions at Boundary Park. The defence was unchanged and, as expected, Bradley Wright-Phillips returned to partner Kermorgant up front. There were three changes in midfield with Stephens the sole survivor from Saturday.

Dany N’Guessan started on the right, Pritchard partnered Stephens in the middle with Johnnie Jackson returning on the left. Lee Cook dropped to the bench and was joined by Andy Hughes and Danny Haynes.

The Addicks took to the field knowing that Sheffield Wednesday had beaten Oldham at Hillsborough, with Miguel Llera again playing a prominent part. The Spaniard created the first and scored the second for the Owls.

Charlton nearly got off to the perfect start when N’Guessan drilled in a hard shot from outside the area. The Addicks were bright and purposeful but Walsall gradually got themselves into the game as the half wore in and were in the ascendency for periods of the second half.

The Saddlers wide midfield players, Alex Nicholls and Argentinian Emmanuel Ledesma, looking the most likely to open up the Addicks’ dogged back line. Fortunately, the visitors were fairly toothless in front of goal.

There was a brilliant cameo from Jackson in the first half. He cut in from the left, twisting one way then the other before eventually being stopped close to goal.

The decisive goal came ten minutes before the break. Charlton won a free-kick on the right and Jackson delivered a super ball into the danger area. N’Guessan was on hand to nod in a vital goal.

At this time of the season results are all important and Powell will have been delighted to have won a third successive game, especially after Saturday’s draining encounter with Oldham.

Promotion gets ever closer, and victory at Carlisle on Saturday, would clinch a return to the Championship if Sheffield Wednesday fail to win a tricky fixture at Colchester.

Charlton: Hamer; Solly, Cort, Morrison, Wiggins; N’Guessan (Cook 86), Stephens, Pritchard, Jackson (Taylor 90); Kermorgant, Wright-Phillips (Haynes 78).

Subs (not used): Sullivan, Hughes.

Goal: N’Guessan 35.

Booked: Pritchard 22 (foul), Solly 59 (foul).

Walsall: Grof; Beevers, Butler, Smith, Sadler; Hurst (Paterson 62), Cuvelier, Mantom, Nicholls (Chambers 88); Ledesma, Macken (Bowerman 81).

Subs (not used): Walker, Lancashire.

Booked: Ledesma 66 (foul).

Referee: David Phillips (West Sussex).