MATCH ANALYSIS & VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: Charlton Athletic 1 Blackburn Rovers 3

After a fantastic first-half performance that saw them race into a two-goal lead only to lose the scorer of their second, Craig Conway, to injury, Gary Bowyer’s embattled side were facing a severe test of their mettle.

At one end of the field Conway’s replacement, Chris Taylor, lay prone on the ground.

And at the other Doneil Henry was down too, writhing in agony after he pulled up chasing Tony Watt who, with just Jason Steele to beat, should have drawn in-form Charlton level.

By that stage Rovers, who were without seven first-team players heading into the game, had also lost stand-in skipper Lee Williamson.

And, while Taylor recovered, Henry did not, the defender having to be helped off before he was eventually replaced by midfielder Jay Spearing.

With just one recognised centre-back on to the pitch it forced Rovers boss Bowyer into a reshuffle of epic proportions.

Up against a left back playing at centre back and a left winger playing at right back, the Addicks must have sensed the possibility of a sixth win in their last seven matches. Their supporters certainly did.

But Rovers, quite remarkably, grew in strength and stature and it came as no surprise when man-of-the-match Jordan Rhodes scored his second of the game to seal what was, in the circumstances, a truly superb success.

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Top-scorer Rhodes now has 16 for the season, seven of which have come in his last nine appearances, and like so many of his team-mates, he has discovered his best form.

The way he clinically dispatched his only chances of note served to underline why Bowyer and Rovers owners Venky’s were right to dismiss the attempts of rival Championship clubs to sign the striker on loan.

This, however, was far from a one-man show.

Instead it was a triumph of the team spirit Bowyer has built and which, having been shaken by a poor run of league results before and after Christmas, is now very much back.

The confidence is there, too, as evidenced in the final 20 minutes when Rovers played with a joyful freedom that could have seen them bag a hatful.

But three goals more than sufficed and a fourth consecutive league win at home to Brentford tomorrow could close the gap to the play-offs to just five points.

And, while promotion remains a long shot, Charlton are a great example of what a string of successes can do in this most unpredictable of divisions.

A month ago the Addicks were just three points above the relegation places yet victory here would have moved them level with Rovers.

But those hopes were effectively dashed within the space of four first-half minutes.

After Stephen Henderson denied the excellent Alex Baptiste from distance, Rhodes opened the scoring with the 150th league goal of his prolific career.

All credit to Ben Marshall as it was his quickly taken throw-in that sent the hitman clear.

Rhodes still had a lot to do yet he did it brilliantly, showing strength to hold off his marker and a cool head to slot the ball past Stephen Henderson.

And, after good pressing from Williamson, Conway doubled the advantage almost immediately as he robbed Roger Johnson and sent an unerring first-time shot low into the corner.

Igor Vetokele then clipped the crossbar yet it was Rovers who ended the half the stronger and Ben Marshall should have headed in a Tom Cairney free kick.

Relieved by the let-off, Charlton came flying out of the blocks after the restart and they reduced the deficit when Henry failed to deal with pass over the top, leaving Steele to barge over Vetokele in the box. Yoni Buyens converted the resultant penalty.

Vetokele then headed on to the bar before Watt fluffed his big opportunity.

And from then on Rovers dominated with Henderson saving from Corry Evans and the outstanding Cairney.

But there was nothing the busy Addicks goalkeeper could do to stop from Rhodes from sending a beautifully placed header into the bottom corner after the ball looped up into his path.

It was some finish and it was some win. Roll on Brentford.