The Addicks made it four straight wins on Saturday with boss Chris Powell delighted with yet another fine performance.

Preston played the five man midfield formation that had given Charlton problems earlier in the season but, after a bright opening fifteen minutes for the visitors, the Addicks swept them away with four goals befoe the interval. Here’s what the manager had to say:

“Our first half performance, after we settled into the game, was outstanding. I thought Preston started quite brightly but once we got the first goal it was an outstanding effort from all my players in the first period.

“To go in at half-time 4-0 up at any level is a fantastic half, not a good half. We knew it would be a little bit difficult and wondered if we could sustain it. I’d say yes and no, the fifth goal will grace any level of football. It was a great bit of skill by Rhoys and his cross produced a fantastic header from Danny (Hollands).

“I’m disappointed with the two goals we conceded and it puts a cloud on it but if you can’t enjoy a 5-2 win at home when you are top of the league I don’t think you will ever enjoy it.

“So I’m very happy with the day’s work from all my players, my staff and all my supporters as well,” said Powell.

The first Preston goal would have particularly disappointed Chris, Morgan scoring with a header direct from a corner. Their second goal was a great piece of skill by Daley and arguably the best goal of the afternoon. Powell was again full of praise for his skipper, Johnnie Jackson, and explained why he had made him captain:

“It was a difficult choice to be honest with you because there were a few players here that could wear the armband.

“I just thought it would lift him a bit more. He’s not one of the vocal ones but he leads by example.

“He’s scored two goals today. He will always get goals from midfield and in his career he has an eye to get in the box, and to get on the end of things. He is developing a good understanding on the left with Rhoys as well.

“He reads things well and wants to arrive at the far post and his first goal is testament to that.

“Danny Green made a good break and we know he’s got a good shot on him. It was parried out and Johnnie was alive to it.

“As well as Johnnie, Danny Hollands will score from midfield, Dale Stephens will too and we are still waiting for Danny (Green) but he will score as well. Over the course of last season Scott Wagstaff reached double figures, as did Johnnie.

“I’m really pleased with the whole team though. I’ve only changed the back four once in the league. They are contributing and Michael Morrison scored today.

“I’ve been waiting for my centre halves to score and I think they will over the course of the season.

“The midfield are chipping in and, of course, Yann and Brad are terrorising opposition back fours at the moment.

“It would have been the cherry on the top if Yann got his goal but it wasn’t to be.

“So we are pleased we scored five goals at home and it adds to the response we have had since Stevenage. We’ve scored 15 goals and conceded three in those four games so I’m quite pleased with that,” said Powell before insisting his feet are very much on the ground, despite results going in his team’s favour on Saturday, “It’s 17 games gone and we are not even halfway through the season. I know how football is.

“We have got to keep our wits about us. We have to still prepare and train properly and I don’t want anyone being over-confident, thinking we have cracked it as we haven’t done anything yet.

“We’ve managed to get 40 points from 17 games which is a fantastic effort but I know there are still 29 games to go.

“We have to tick each game off and deal with each opposition team in front of us. I’m going to revel in this win today and we all should, the supporters and the players but then I’ll be thinking about Halifax, which is next on the agenda for us.

“We are going along well. We are on the journey and I want everyone to share in that. I want everyone to stay on that train and keep on going and see where it takes us.

“If you can’t enjoy it now and when your team wins I don’t think you ever will. I want our supporters to enjoy their bonfire night and their weekend as the team has won again,” concluded the boss.

That Halifax game will be a difficult one for the fans to get to. No trains from London will arrive before kick-off and though the players have paid for the fans’ coaches, it will mean an early start. Around a hundred had taken the offer up ahead of kick-off on Saturday.

Should the five free coaches be filled, the club will subsidise more coaches with fans having to pay just £10 for the journey.

Two years ago, Charlton took 272 fans for the Sunday lunch time game at Northwich, which was also shown live on ITV. It is unlikely a significantly higher number will travel this time.

The Under 18 team commence their FA Youth Cup campaign at Soham Town Rangers tonight.