The scene was set for an upset, the ITV cameras were there to bring it to the nation on a grey, wet, foggy afternoon in West Yorkshire.

The hosts laid on entertainment in the form of a scantily clad dance troupe and late on, an overweight male streaker made an unwelcome appearance on the pitch, he was somewhat less easy on the eye.

Chris Powell made five changes from the team that started against Preston with Sullivan, Evina, Wagstaff, Hayes and Euell coming in for Hamer, Wiggins, Green, Kermorgant and Wright-Phillips. All but Kermorgant were available options on the bench though.

As expected, Halifax flew out of the traps and the Addicks had to deal with early pressure. Once they had seen that off, they settled to their task, and without really putting their hosts to the sword, Charlton created the better chances.

Powell had been waiting for his centre-backs to chip in with a goal or two and Morrison followed up his strike against Preston by netting again. Unfortunately, this time his effort was ruled out but his defensive partner, Matt Taylor, opened his scoring account for the club.

Taylor rose unopposed to head a Hayes cross from the left back across the keeper, to open the scoring just before the interval.

The Shaymen pressed their visitors back at the start of the second period and were to enjoy lengthy periods in the ascendency, but the Addicks dealt with the threat without too many scares. Hughes, assidious as ever, was prompting and pointing, getting and giving the ball to the more creative Hollands and Jackson.

The main danger to the Addicks was Halifax’s flying left-winger, Jason St Juste, who replaced Danny Holland with just under half an hour to go. One tackle from Chris Solly was right out of the top drawer. Had he got it wrong, a penalty and possible red card would have followed.

Contests such as this are often settled late on as the underdog tires and this was no exception. First Hayes, twisting and turning, teed up skipper Johnnie Jackson to fire home from the edge of the box with the aid of a deflection.

Next, Danny Hollands stabbed home from close range after Taylor had headed a corner down. Finally, subs Michael Smith and Bradley Pritchard combined for the latter to drive home. A move shortly after gave both of them the opportunity to add a fifth but this time, the Shaymen survived.

One unsavoury incident late on – other than the streaker – saw Danny Lowe dismissed for a horrible lunge on Wagstaff.

Powell will be pleased with the margin of victory and to see his team come through without injury. The draw for the second round paired the Addicks with Carlisle at The Valley.

Charlton: Sullivan; Solly, Taylor, Morrison, Evina; Wagstaff, Hughes, Hollands (Pritchard 88) Jackson; Euell (Smith 88), Hayes (Wright-Phillips 86).

Subs (not used): Hamer, Wiggins, Doherty, Green.

Goals: Taylor 40, Jackson 80, Hollands 82, Pritchard 88.

Halifax: Eastwood; Toulson, L Hogan, Lowe. McManus; Hardy, Baker, Garner (Winter 74); Rainford (Anderson 88), Gregory, Holland (St Juste 63).

Subs (not used): Senior, Needham, Foster, S Hogan.

Booked: Garner 59 (foul)

Sent off: Lowe 85 (serious foul play).

Referee: Geoff Eltringham (Tyne & Wear).

Attn: 4,601.