CHRIS Powell has challenged his squad to keep their unbeaten start to 2012 going against bottom side Chesterfield tomorrow night.

The Addicks end February at the B2net Stadium with an opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the table to 13 points.

But Powell believes Chesterfield will provide as tough a test for his title-chasing side as any other team in the division, despite their lowly league position.

The Charlton boss said: “It’s top versus bottom but they are fighting for their lives and desperate for points, so it’s a tricky game but one we have to negotiate well and make sure we are ready for it.

“But we also need to keep the momentum going.

“We are unbeaten this year and it is a record to be proud of.

“I want my players to keep pushing themselves and each other and they have been magnificent so far.”

The league leaders had picked up one win in four games prior to the Stevenage victory but Powell thinks his side deserve credit for avoiding defeat during the sticky patch.

“Some think it is bad when we draw, I don’t - it is another point gained,” said the Valley chief.

“People were quite rightly saying we were having a blip but we never lost.

“Normally teams who have a blip lose players and confidence but we haven’t done that.

“We are still very buoyant and the fans should be as well because there is no better position we can be in.

“We are in the number one spot and we want to remain there and we are going to work ever so hard to maintain that.”

And Powell is confident his team have enough quality to pick up points against defensive-minded opponents.

He said: "People always say about the business end of the season and this really is.

“We have laid the foundations from the start of the season to put us in the position we are in now but ultimately it is about what you do in the run in.

“You’ve got to hold your nerve and keep your wits about you and we did that against Stevenage and we have got to do that for the remainder of the season.

“It’s always difficult regardless of who you are playing against but a lot of teams want to pack defence and midfield and not let give any room.”

Powell added: “We are going to have to negotiate that and we’ve spoken about what we need to do when teams leave one up front and frustrate us and the crowd.

“We are well aware of what lies ahead but we’ve got to keep the belief that we are going to get the wins we crave.”

And Powell wished Charlton’s talented youngsters well ahead of their FA Youth Cup sixth-round tie at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening.

“Our youth team has added to the feel-good factor around the club,” the manager said.

“They go to Manchester United and it’s a wonderful experience for them, but they are going there to win.

“I’m really looking forward to it and hope they do themselves justice.”

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