A freak, summer downpour saw this original fixture abandoned as Doncaster led 3-1 – and Rovers boss Paul Dickov was again left with a sinking feeling.

The Scot was furious when the officials pulled the plug at half-time back in August and his mood was not lightened on his return to South London as a fourth defeat in six saw his side slip to within two places of the drop zone.

Chants of ‘You only sing when it’s raining’ from the home support served as a reminder of the commanding position which Dickov’s men held earlier in the season.

But they were never in it on Tuesday night as goals from Dale Stephens and Simon Church helped to put six points between the Addicks and the bottom three.

Charlton chief Chris Powell must have feared he was in for an ill-fated evening, however, when goalkeeper Ben Hamer was injured during the warm-up and had to be replaced by Ben Alnwick.

There were just 90 seconds on the clock when striker Simon Church, sprung clear by Jordan Cousins, had the chance to ease his manager’s nerves but instead prodded painfully wide from just six yards out.

Their luck did not improve as the half wore on, returning striker Yann Kermorgant cracking the post and Johnnie Jackson finding Ross Turbull impassable after blasting on target from close range.

But there was no need for good fortune when Stephens eventually fired the breakthrough goal on 39 minutes, the midfielder’s first-time volley arrowing into the top corner from all of 25 yards.

Manchester United loanee Federico Macheda went in search of parity soon after but, having wriggled free of three red jerseys, could not find the finish to match and blazed over.

The Londoners were in the ascendancy and full-back Lawrie Wilson, vacating his defensive duty, stormed into the area and was only denied a fine, solo strike by the gloves of Turnbull.

It was two, however, on the hour mark when Church made amends for his early miss with a cool slot into the bottom corner having beaten the offside trap to scamper after Kermorgant’s through ball.

—Daily Mail