The afternoon started with a mock funeral as Charlton went on to beat Middlesbrough at The Valley.

The game was held up when dozens of black and white beach balls were thrown onto the pitch, a phantom whistler, a couple of fans on the pitch, a 74th minute walk out and the usual post match demo in the West Stand car park, were the backdrop to an intriguing game at The Valley.

Jose Riga opted for a pacy front duo of Ademola Lookman and Callum Harriott, though in truth the head coach had little option. With Yaya Sanogo suspended, and Simon Makienok ill, the Addicks were without a focal point up front.

Alou Diarra returned to the starting line-up, and Harry Lennon was on the bench after serving his three match ban.

Nick Pope, Rod Fanni – despite a faux-pas – Callum Harriott and the ubiquitous skipper, Jordan Cousins, were among those who impressed.

Sunday 12 March 2006, Charlton beat Middlesbrough 2-1 at The Valley. They had to wait ten years and a day to repeat the feat, but the Addicks did it in some style.

Despite the disruptions, there was some neat football played in the opening period, with Rod Fanni coming closest to opening the scoring…..for Middlesbrough!

Emilio Nsue delivered a terrific cross from the right and Fanni’s header required a tremendous stop from Pope with his foot to keep it out.

The game went up a notch after the break and the hosts took the lead just before the hour mark.

A quick break down the left released Yun Suk-Young. Yun pulled the ball back but Cousins’ shot was deflected off Grant Leadbitter for a corner on the left. Johann Berg Gudmundsson picked out Jorge Teixeira, who headed Charlton into the lead.

It was an open, end-to-end game with Boro having chances, the best of them falling to Lambeth born Albert Adomah.

The Addicks sealed the points ten minutes from time. The ball was played into the box after an intricate move down the left, which eventually gave Harriott the opportunity to double the advantage from close range.

The win moved Charlton to within four points of Rotherham and five of Milton Keynes Dons. It ended a ten match winless streak at The Valley, and saw the team keep consecutive clean sheets for the first time this season.

The Addicks have now taken seven points in a week, a run which will give them momentum as they head to Hillsborough on Saturday.

Charlton: Pope; Motta, Fanni, Teixeira, Fox; Gudmundsson (Lennon 90), Diarra, Cousins, Yun; Harriott (Bergdich 88), Lookman(Ghoochannejhad 78).

Subs (not used): Mitov, Johnson, Holmes-Dennis, Poyet.

Goals: Teixeira 57, Harriott 80.

Booked: Diarra 64 (foul) Harriott 80 (taking shirt off), Fox 90 (foul).

Middlesbrough: Konstantopoulou;, Nsue, Gibson, Fry, Friend; Leadbitter, Clayton, Downing (Nugent 74), Adomah; Ramirez, Rhodes (Stuani 74).

Subs (not used): Agazzi, De Laet, De Sart, Kalas, Forshaw.

Booked: Rhodes 66 (foul), Clayton 75 (foul).

Attn: 14,636 (2,342 Middlesbrough).

Referee: Darren Deadman (Cambridgeshire).