A STOPPAGE time winner from Izale McLeod proved the difference as Charlton emerged victorious and unscathed from the Broadfield Stadium on Tuesday evening.

The Addicks, fielding virtually a full-strength side for the first time in pre-season, took the lead in the first half when Jonjo Shelvey headed Lloyd Sam’s sublime cross over goalkeeper Nick Jordan.

However, they failed to capitalise on their dominance in the opening 45 minutes, and conceded a penalty to a resurgent Crawley side when Charlie Ademeno was felled by Rob Elliot in a one-on-one. That left Jefferson Louis, whose penalty for Oxford United knocked Athletic out of the Worthington Cup in 2002, to slot home from 12 yards.

While wholesale substitutions on both sides affected the flow of the game, McLeod was able to race through deep into stoppage time and put away the rebound after initially firing straight at Jordan.

Charlton manager Phil Parkinson admitted that although results are secondary to fitness in friendly fixtures, capping off a solid team performance with victory will provide a massive boost.

Ater the game he said: “It was a fantastic workout for us; it was a certain style we came up against tonight, a very direct style that we’re going to come up against a lot in League One.

“I thought everyone put in a good, honest performance tonight and that’s what we’re trying to get back in the club.

“We’ve come here in good spirits and when we go to Hartlepool away we have to stand up and be counted as a team and that’s what we did tonight.

“Of course it’s nice to win, and it’s a good feeling in the dressing room after a win, whether it’s a pre-season friendly or the first game of the season.

“The victory was important, because it was a game where we had to stick together and I was pleased with the boys for doing that.

“In the lower divisions, it is about that spirit and togetherness and the boys showed that tonight.”

In player news, Parky was delighted to confirm that everybody had once again come through unscathed – and was also satisfied with the contributions of his new signings as well as his centre-forwards.

He said: “I thought Fraser Richardson was excellent tonight, and also that Miguel Llera showed everyone what a good signing he’s going to be – he got to the ball and did what good defenders need to do.

“The front two, Dickson and Izale, when we changed it around in the last 20 minutes showed a lot of pace and power that will cause any defence problems.

“I was especially pleased for Izale, because he’s a player who’s come back to us for pre-season very fit and with a real desire to work.

“He needs to do that, and he’s shown us that, and with all goalscorers, they need that bit of luck to get off and running.

“McLeod in his career has scored goals before, and tonight that goal will have done him the world of good.”

However, with transfers currently limited to Bosman signings while the club is subject to a potential takeover, Parky admitted that the Addicks still need more strength in depth for the upcoming league campaign.

He said: “We need another four or five players, and I think it’s obvious to everybody who follows Charlton that we’ve got gaps in the squad.

“But the attitude of the ones who are here has been first class and we’ve enjoyed working with them so far in pre-season, but it’s only the start.”