Last updated on .From the section Championship

John Buckley gave Blackburn the lead at The Valley

Blackburn Rovers edged closer to the play-off spots with a win at Charlton who are now just five points above the Championship relegation zone.

Two goals in eight first-half minutes secured the points for the visitors, with 20-year-old John Buckley opening the scoring with a deflected effort.

Tosin Adarabiyo touched in a Stewart Downing free-kick, which Charlton felt should not have been awarded, although the hosts were perhaps earlier fortunate not to concede a penalty.

Charlton improved after the break, with Blackburn keeper Christian Walton saving from Lyle Taylor and Josh Cullen, but to no avail.

Blackburn move up to eighth and are three points off a top-six place.

Rovers were adamant they should have had a spot-kick when Dominic Samuel went down under the challenge of Addicks skipper Jason Pearce, but a free-kick was given against the Rovers striker instead.

It did not affect them, though, and Buckley - whose only other Rovers goal came when he scored the dramatic winner against Sheffield Wednesday in November - put his side ahead.

Charlton felt aggrieved by the free-kick that led to the second goal, but there was no doubting Downing's delivery, with Adarabiyo getting the crucial touch.

Four of the five teams below the Addicks all picked up points, cutting the gap to Lee Bowyer's side.

Charlton boss Lee Bowyer said:

"It was a disappointing day. Blackburn did a good professional performance, a job on us.

"We started well and were the better side for the first 10, 15 minutes, but then Blackburn got their first goal and after that they were the better side and deserved their three points.

"The Championship is relentless and everyone has to earn their three points. Did my players work hard? Of course they did."

Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray told BBC Radio Lancashire:

"I thought we dug deep today, we played the elements as well as the opposition. I thought we started well, on the front foot and asked questions of Charlton.

"I also think our defenders got the job done today.

"I like our centre-halves at the moment, I like them together. They compliment each other well and it's standing the team in good stead at the moment."