Charlton Athletic clung on at the death to defeat Watford 1-0 at The Valley on Saturday and climb to fifth in the Championship.

A third-minute penalty from Yoni Buyens was enough to earn the Addicks the points, despite a spirited comeback from the Hornets, with the home side riding their lunch on their way to making it 12 points from six league games under Bob Peeters.

The decisive goal came early-on when Jordan Cousins played in Igor Vetokele who broke through the defence before being felled in the box by former Tottenham Hotspur keeper Heurelho Gomes.

Buyens sent the Brazilian the wrong way from the resultant spot-kick but from then on the visitors piled forward, with Troy Deeney clipping the post after a slip by Tal Ben Haim and seeing appeals for a penalty after a challenge from the Israeli waved-away.

Stephen Henderson in the Charlton goal also denied Deeney and Ikechi Anya while at the other end Vetokele threatened on the break and headed a good chance over from a cross from sub Lawrie Wilson on the hour.

Watford spurned further chances from Lewis McGugan, Lloyd Dyer and Daniel Tozser before the close as Charlton climbed to fifth, level on points with Watford, ahead of Tuesday’s visit of third-placed Wolves.