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ROBERTS ABOVE PAR

Jason Roberts was definitely above par

Sunday April 29,2007

By Drew McKenzie

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A DREADFUL blunder by Scott Carson broke 6,000 Charlton hearts at Ewood Park as his second-half error almost certainly condemned his side to relegation.

The Londoners were more than holding their own against Blackburn but the keeper, on a year's loan from Liverpool, allowed a shot from Jason Roberts to squirm from his grasp and into the net.

Charlton pulled level through Darren Bent after an equally bizarre blunder at the other end from another former Anfield man Stephen Warnock.

But three goals in six minutes from Morten Gamst Pedersen - deflected off Hermann Hreidarsson - Roberts and sub Matt Derbyshire left the Addicks reeling.

To add to their woes left-back Ben Thatcher was sent off for two yellow cards after clumsy challenges on Pedersen and David Bentley.

Charlton subsidised 6,000 fans to make the journey up to Ewood but they went home devastated at the prospect
of facing journeys to Championship grounds next season.

But Rovers' dreams of a UEFA Cup spot are still alive.

Pedersen cracked a 25-yard free-kick into the Charlton wall and headed just over from Brett Emerton's cross while David Dunn and Benni McCarthy collided comically as they both went for Bentley's right-wing centre.

But neither keeper was tested until Roberts' 20-yard shot was pushed round the post by Carson.

Darren Bent found the net at the other end only to have his effort ruled

out by a marginal offside decision.

Rovers got slightly closer when Pedersen delivered a great chip to Roberts but the forward, sliding in, could only deflect the ball into Carson's arms.

But the smile disappeared from the Charlton keeper's face a minute later. Roberts left Hreidarsson in his wake before letting fly from the corner of the area.

Carson had it covered but let the ball slip from his grasp over his shoulder and into the net.

Amazingly the visitors were back in it seconds after Thatcher's dismissal..

There seemed no threat to Rovers goal when the former Liverpool man lobbed a header onto his own crossbar with Darren Bent reacting quickest to head his 14th goal of the season.

But Rovers bagged three goals in an amazing six-minute spell to win it.

A great run by Emerton set up Pedersen and the winger's shot deflected off El Karkouri and Hreidarsson before bobbling past Carson.

Roberts got his second with a tap-in after good work by McCarthy and Pedersen, and substitute Derbyshire netted with a good shot from the right with his first touch after coming on.

BLACKBURN 4
CHARLTON 1