It was first blood to Charlton Athletic in the battle of pride in south London, as second half substitute Svetoslav Todorov took advantage of a defensive lapse to net a winning goal for the men from the Valley.

In what was a largely close game, it really could have gone either way and whilst Palace will feel dismayed not to have taken anything out of it, boss Peter Taylor will be pleased with the spirit shown by his team and some of the individual performances.

It wasn't to be though and despite a final flurry in the last 10 minutes, the visitors held on to take three points back to SE7.

There was a lively opening to the game at both ends but it was Palace who came closest to opening the scoring after 14 minutes, when Clinton Morrison and Tom Soares combined on the right flank, enabling the latter to play a cross into the box. James Scowcroft beat Jon Fortune to the ball to turn a volley at goal, only for Nick Weaver to make a fine save and turn the ball around the post.

Jeff Hughes, on his full debut for the Eagles, then fired a vicious left foot shot over the bar after picking up a loose ball from a Palace corner kick.

Charlton soon began to try and play themselves back into the game and a dangerous cross from skipper Andy Reid was just inches away from being converted by Chris Iwelumo before Zheng Zhi fired a shot over the bar.

Rather typically for a derby game though, clear chances were proving few and far between and the half was brought to an end with little to choose between the teams.

Shortly after the re-start, Mark Hudson almost broke the deadlock when his miscued clearance almost guided the ball over Julian Speroni and into his own net, but fortunately for Palace the goalkeeper was well positioned to make a comfortable save.

Palace made a change soon into the second half, when Paul Ifill was introduced to replace Hughes in midfield for his first appearance of the season after a hamstring injury ruled him out of the early games.

Iwelumo had a decent opportunity in the 65th minute, when Zhi broke in from the left flank and rolled a pass into the striker's feet but his he sliced his shot wide of the target.

At the other end, Ifill forced a fine save from Weaver when he jinked into the area from the right flank and fired a poweful shot at goal which the Addicks keeper could only beat to safety with his fists.

On loan striker Besian Idrizaj entered the fray with just less than 20 minutes remaining, as he replaced Morrison up front for his debut and he almost made an instant impact as Scowcroft's deft flick into his path was only just cut out by McCarthy.

Seconds later and the visitors had the lead after a long ball was flicked on by Iwelumo. It should have been cleared, but when Leon Cort and Speroni left the ball to each other, Todorov nipped in to lift the ball over both of them and tap into an open goal.

Palace rallied though and with six minutes remaining, Tony Craig's centre was headed at goal by Idrizaj only for Weaver to make another fine save to turn the ball around the post.

It proved to be the final chance for Palace though and after five minutes of added time and further pressure from the Eagles, the final whistle sounded to the relief of Alan Pardew and his team.

Palace: Speroni, Lawrence, Craig, Hudson, Cort, Fletcher © (Martin, 80) Scowcroft, Morrison (Idrizaj, 72) Kennedy, Soares, Hughes (Ifill, 57) Subs not used: Flinders, Fonte.

Charlton: Weaver, Zhi, McCarthy. Reid, Ambrose, Thomas (Todorov, 67) Powell, Iwelumo (McLeod, 90) Semedo (Racon, 72) Fortune, Mills. Subs not used: Randolph, Sam.

Bookings: James Scowcroft (76 minutes), Darren Ambrose (82 minutes).

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