With Rovers' Championship status for next season already secured, and some players having played through the pain barrier to ensure that, Tony Mowbray, as he had said he would do, rang the changes.

While it wasn't the strongest of Rovers side's that took to the field, it still included a combined 374 appearances this season, four internationals and two Premier League loanees.

Four days after the win at Doncaster, which clinched promotion, there was no David Raya, Elliott Bennett, Derrick Williams, Craig Conway or Bradley Dack for Rovers, while Danny Graham was only on the bench. But this was no surrender from Rovers however, despite suffering just a sixth defeat of the season.

The crucial goal, which came in the 20th minute for the hosts, was a real fluke as Jason Pearce saw the ball flick off his back and nestle in the bottom corner as Ahmed Kashi fired goalwards from 20 yards when Jayson Leutwiler punched clear a free-kick.

Rovers lacked bravery and were too passive in the opening 45minutes as they failed to score in the first-half of a match for the sixth game in a row.

But after the break they controlled the game for long spells and were within an inch of claiming an equaliser which they may well feel their second half showing deserved.

They preyed on the nervousness of the hosts, who were trying to hold out for a win to aid their play-off hopes, and spent much of the second period camped in the hosts' half.

That was why huge relief among the home fans greeted the final whistle while defeat for Rovers saw their hopes of securing the League One title take a blow.

All is not lost though as they head in to the final weekend, when they host Oxford United and Wigan travel to Doncaster, with still an outside chance, needing a win coupled with defeat for the Latics at Doncaster.

There may well be a feeling of a missed opportunity at the final whistle for those in the away end given the result at The Valley, coupled with Wigan dropping points at home to AFC Wimbledon.

But for most of the 3,100 travelling supporters, this was part one of the promotion party which will crank up a notch against Oxford.

After Pearce's fortuitous opener, chances were at  a premium in a first half in which the play was incredibly congested in the central areas.

Charlton's combative style crowded Rovers out as they failed to must er much of a response. Though they were incensed there was no decision given in their favour when Dominic Samuel appeared to be taken out by Ezri Konsa moments before half-time as he broke in goal.

Rovers were re-energised after the break. Within two minutes of the re-start Richie Smallwood's driving run forced Mark Marshall to hack clear after the midfielder's shot had beaten Ben Amos.

The hosts keeper was equal to Jack Payne's effort after a promising Adam Armstrong break down the left before another cross from the Newcastle loanee saw substitute Danny Graham have a well-hit shot blocked.

His introduction, along with that of Lewis Travis, brought more life to Rovers. The youngster nicked possession high up the pitch and fed Samuel whose shot across Amos was expertly tipped away by the stopper.

But the closest Rovers came in the second period was via the head of Samuel. Without a goal since November he couldn't have gone closer as he powered a Charlie Mulgrew corner goalwards, only to see it hit the bar and bounce down on the line.

That, coupled with Pearce's winner proved this wasn't to be Rovers' day. But this isn't a time for being downhearted.