Substitute Matty Godden scored against Sheffield United four minutes after coming on to end Charlton Athletic's 11-game winless run and earn them their first three points since 29 August.

Godden struck his second goal of the season with just 11 minutes remaining to lift the Addicks up to 19th in the table and seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Millenic Alli opened the scoring in the 12th minute for the hosts at the Valley before Jordan Ayew headed United's leveller.

The defeat ends United's four-match unbeaten run and dents their promotion hopes as they drop to tenth.

The Blades threatened first and Ayew had a shot saved by Charlton goalkeeper Will Mannion but it was Charlton who scored when Alli's left-footed shot sneaked into the bottom corner for his first Addicks goal since his £1.5m move from Luton.

Back came the visitors and they equalised when Ayew headed home on the rebound when Mannion could only half clear Kalvin Phillips' free-kick to register his first Blades goal since joining them as a free agent in September.

Alan Mwamba and Tyreece Campbell then missed opportunities for the hosts in between Mannion saving a Liam Kitching header.

Femi Seriki's knee problems returned and he was stretchered off just six minutes after replacing Hamza Choudhury at half-time. The right-back fell awkwardly on the turf after only just coming back from two months out with a knee problem and is out for the season with a ruptured patella.

Mannion saved from Harrison Burrows and Sydie Peck, the hat-trick hero of the midweek win over Preston, headed wide before Godden's decisive moment arrived for Charlton.

The Addicks striker volleyed home from six yards out from Alli's cross to send Nathan Jones and the Charlton fans wild.

The Addicks had to endure nine minutes of nervy stoppage time, mainly because of Seriki's injury, and Mannion made a key stop in the dying seconds when he saved Peck's shot.

Charlton manager Nathan Jones told BBC Radio London:

"Relief is a big thing. I'm emotional because of everything that's gone on. That was more like us, from start to finish. We were front footed, we had real control in our play. I thought we were excellent tactically.

"We implemented the game plan really well and I'm so proud of that. I'm proud of the group because they've had to contend with so much noise, so much pressure, especially being at home.

"It's probably, apart from Wembley, my favourite result that I've had at this football club, just the importance of it. It was wonderful and I'm so proud of everyone."

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield:

"Yeah, it's really disappointing. I think there was plenty of effort. It was a typical third game in a week in the Championship and it could have gone either way.

"I think we had the better of the chances and they were two really poor goals from our point of view. I think Michael [Cooper] will be a touch disappointed with the first one.

"We never really got control of the game as we would have wanted. They were fighting for their lives and their performance was a positive one, but it's a missed opportunity."

On Femi Seriki's injury: "He's out for the season. I think he's ruptured his patella. So yeah, it's a really, really disappointing one."