TRANMERE ROVERS finally took some reward for turning in a performance of quality on the turf of one of League One’s big hitters – yet still left The Valley feeling shortchanged.

Charlton Athletic, who started the afternoon five points clear at the top of the division, held onto their unbeaten record on the strength of a penalty award that had players, managers and supporters on both sides scratching their heads.

No-one except referee Darren Drysdale was sure about exactly what the 80th minute decision was given for. A couple of Charlton players went to ground when a corner dropped into the box but no-one could identify a clear push or trip in the melee of bodies.

Mr Drysdale, who was some distance outside the box, waved away Tranmere’s protests and Charlton captain Johnnie Jackson converted the kick confidently after a long delay.

The mood inside the Tranmere dressing room afterwards was one of disappointment but there was much cause for satisfaction in the way they played.

Rovers were at their most effective during the first-half, when they seized the initiative by dominating possession. The visitors harried and closed down the options for the home side in every area of the pitch and kept hold of the ball with a confidence that belied their mid-table station.

Charlton were reluctant to take the chance of throwing extra players forward to try and break Tranmere’s grip because they were worried about the threat posed by front men Enoch Showunmi and Jose Baxter.

The tall Showunmi worked and worried the Charlton back line with his strength, pace and energy.

The slightly-built Baxter, who operated just behind the target man, was just as much of a danger because he invariably needed only one or at most two touches to lay off an accurate and perceptive pass.

No wonder Everton see rich potential in the 19-year-old.

Tranmere produced performances of similar quality at Huddersfield and Preston over the last month and came away empty-handed because they were punished for isolated mistakes by opponents with a ruthless streak.

The visitors did drop a little deeper in the final half-hour here, inviting Charlton to exert some territorial pressure. But Rovers surrendered few scoring opportunities to an Addicks side who have plundered 24 goals in a dozen games this season. There were no costly slip-ups or errors this time.

Ash Taylor had another big game alongside Ian Goodison at the heart of the back four, the two full-backs kept a limit on Charlton’s supply from the flanks and Joss Labadie put in a strong effort to make up for the absence of suspended skipper John Welsh in central midfield.

Charlton’s disjointed efforts suggested manager Chris Powell was right to voice his displeasure about a 3-0 Johnstone’s Paint Trophy defeat to Brentford in midweek.

Powell sent a much-changed line-up into that game and the competition clearly lacks appeal to a crowd who were enjoying Premier League football five years ago.

But picking up the momentum again isn’t always as easy as putting the front-line players back on the teamsheet.