The officials have agreed ... that Charlton may now score

'The officials have agreed that there will be two minutes of additional time', proclaimed a sonorous voice at the end of the first half at Deepdale tonight. With the conclave of officials over, Zheng Zhi put the ball in the net to give the Addicks a first half lead.

'The officials have agreed that there will be four minutes of additional time', came the message at the end of the second, spurring hope for Barney the Dinosaur and his Preston pals of an equaliser. Luke Varney advanced on goal and beat the keeper from a tight angle to make it 2-0 for the Addicks.

Our ability to score in time added on is a new phenomenon, but I will accept the goals when they come. 'The Pride of Lancashire' were anything but and this was not a classic match, but you have to play who is in front of you. The first half was a rather ragged affair, manager Irvine no doubt perplexed to find that his plans to counter Talal El Karkouri's long distance free kicks or stopping Darren Bent advancing on goal were redundant.

There seems to have been a bout of 'See you Jimmy, you're nothing' in the dressing room at half time as Preston looked more determined after the break. But although they pinned back Charlton in their half, their long balls could not outwit an on form Nicky Weaver. The Addicks had that extra fluency, skill and confident calmness under pressure.

After an excellent run up to Preston, we went to a local pub where we received a friendly welcome and the assurance that the three points were ours. We chatted to a couple of lads from the Met who had come up to police the 473 travelling fans.

After a quick look around the excellent National Football Museum for a second time, we took our seats in the neat three sided ground. It's odd looking out on to a suburban street.

Charlton looked a bit defensively fragile in the first few minutes and the ball was up in the air a lot. A Thomas run created the first Charlton corner of the game which flashed across the front of goal. Iwelumo won the Addicks a free kick. Semedo made a first rate pass to Thomas, but unfortunately it did not lead to anything.

Sodje had no option but to concede a corner which led to a second for the home side. Zheng Zhi received a yellow card for an over vigorous tackle. Good work involving Thomas forced Lonergan in the Preston goal to put the ball round for a corner which was punched out. A Preston free kick in a potentially dangerous position was caught by Weaver. An effort by Zheng Zhi led to a Charlton corner.

Preston were awarded a free kick against Sodje. Mills put it out for a Preston corner which was cleared although there should have been a free kick for a clear foul on Weaver. Thomas made a good run but Sam was unable to make use of it.

Persistence by Iwelumo won Charlton a throw in near the corner flag and it was this that produced the scenario for the opening Charlton goal. Thomas used it to put in an excellent low cross which Zheng Zhi slotted into the back of the net.

Half time: Invincibles 0, Addicks 1

Nicky Weaver had to made an excellent save to deal with a fierce shot from distance by Gallagher. Reid provided a good pass, but it was unproductive. Lloyd Sam won Charlton a corner but it was caught by the keeper. Preston show a puzzling propensity to put the ball out inadvertently to concede throw ins. Gallagher was withdrawn and Simon Whaley brought on.

Weaver made another great save and the resultant Preston corner led to another. Brett Ormerod was withdrawn and replaced by Patrick Agyemang. Charlton made their first substitution with Semedo replaced by Holland to add some experience to the Charlton midfield. It has to be said that Pards got all his substitutions right.

Sam won Charlton a free kick, but it was wasted by Reid. Shortly afterwards Sam was replaced by Ambrose. Kevin Nicholls was withdrawn to chants of 'Charlton reject' and replaced by Darren Carter as Irvine searched for the talent that would unlock Charlton. Pards made his last substitution by taking off Reid and replacing him by Varney.

A Preston corner led to a moment of danger and a second corner, but the Preston effort was well wide which they often were when not going into Row Z. McKenna was booked for a cynical foul on Varney. In time added on, Weaver made another great diving save at the expense of a Preston corner. It looked as if it was all over and it certainly was when Iwelumo released Varney who tore down the wing and outwitted the keeper to make it 0-2.

I have a soft spot for Preston and I hope that they manage to avoid relegation, but they clearly have a lot of work to do.

Leamington made good use of their trip to South London by beating Millwall rejects side Fisher Athletic 2-1 to advance to the 1st round proper of the FA Trophy.

Match analysis

The Silver Bone was awarded by Ivy the Terrible to Nicky Weaver for some superb saves, one of which was classified by Brian Cole as 'world class'. Sodje had another excellent game, strong and resolute in the central defence. I liked the way he came and celebrated with the fans with real enthusiasm after the game. Fortune continues to improve, being relatively error free, and making one excellent and important defensive tackle. Mills continues to impress. Basey was very solid, but occasionally the lack of experience and pace shows. Semedo had another good game. Thomas was probably man of the match in the first half with some excellent penetrating runs down the wing, although he faded a little in the secon half. Sam was also busy on his wing, although he was not always able to take full advantage of the positions he got himself into. Reid had some nice touches but was off the pace a little and not as involved as usual. Zhi was always a danger as he proved with the opening goal. Iwelumo roamed in a lonely fashion up front, but was always determined to get involved and pose questions for the Preston defence. Holland did very little after he came on, but provided a reassuring presence in midfield. Ambrose managed to get to the ball a few times. Varney looked well up for it as he proved with his well taken goal.

Hiss of the Match This was awarded by Juneau the Soccer Cat to the Preston supporters who kept floating white balloons into Nicky Weaver's goalmouth during the first half.

Crowd rating The dedicated band of the Addickted were on good form. I am always heartened by a chorus of 'Goodbye Horse'. 7/10.