TOP-SCORER Jordan Rhodes scored twice as Rovers made it three Championship wins on the spin in stirring fashion at the sun-kissed Valley to close the gap on the play-off places to eight points.

Rhodes’ 150th league goal of his career set Gary Bowyer’s superb side on their way to a thoroughly deserved victory made all the more impressive by the fact they lost three further players, Craig Conway, Lee Williamson and Doneil Henry, to injury.

That means Rovers boss Bowyer has 10 men on the sidelines ahead of Tuesday’s mouthwatering Ewood Park encounter with sixth-placed Brentford.

But, despite that, you would not bet against them extending their winning run given the belief and confidence that is coursing through the camp.

Conway doubled the advantage, only to injure himself in the process, before Yoni Buyens halved the deficit 12 minutes into the second half from a needlessly conceded penalty.

At that stage Rovers were on the rocks.

But, showing outstanding character and resilience, they sealed their third success over the Addicks this season 12 minutes from time when Rhodes, the subject of so much speculation this week, made it 16 goals for the campaign, seven of which have come in his last nine appearances.

Rovers were forced to make three changes to the team that started their dramatic 1-0 derby win at home to Bolton Wanderers on Wednesday with stand-in skipper Matt Kilgallon and Markus Olsson ruled out through injury and Corry Evans fit enough only for a place on the bench.

But that did not stop them from racing into a two-goal first-half lead.

Kilgallon’s replacement, Alex Baptiste, served notice of their intent in the second minute when he let fly with a speculative 35-yard effort that sent Stephen Henderson scampering across his goal-line to push around the post.

Tony Watt was looking the Charlton player most likely and only a fine tackle by Henry prevented him from troubling Jason Steele.

But, just when the in-form Addicks were coming into the game, they fell behind in the 15th minute.

All credit to Ben Marshall, his quick thinking from a throw-in sent Rhodes clear and he showed strength to hold off his marker and a cool head to slot the ball past Henderson and in off the post.

And one became two three minutes later when Roger Johnson mis-controlled on the edge of his own box.

Conway took full advantage, nicking the ball off the centre-back before drilling a first-time right-footed shot low into the bottom corner.

But it came at a cost as the winger hurt his hamstring and immediately had to be replaced by Chris Taylor, who scored twice in January’s FA Cup meeting between the sides.

Charlton responded strongly and, after being released by strike-partner Watt, Igor Vetokele clipped the crossbar from just inside the area.

Steele then saved low to his left, fairly comfortably, after Watt tried his luck from 25 yards.

But it was Rovers who finished the half the stronger and in the 42nd minute Rhodes flicked on a long pass down the channel by Tommy Spurr to Taylor.

And the substitute’s left-footed attempt would have worried Henderson had it not been for Chris Solly’s block.

Henderson should have been given no chance two minutes before the break when the excellent Tom Cairney floated a free kick into the box.

But the unmarked Ben Marshall headed well wide.

A Henry slip nearly let in Vetokele on the stroke of half-time, Steele racing out of his goal to rescue the situation.

But there was to be no let-off in the 57th minute as a mix-up between Henry and Steele led to the Rovers goalkeeper barging over Vetokele in the box.

Buyens, whose penalty had earned his side victory at Cardiff City one week earlier, did the rest from the spot.

All of a sudden the Addicks’ tails were up and two minutes later Vetokele looped a header on to the bar from Frederic Bulot’s cross.

Rovers then lost their captain for the day, Williamson, with Evans coming on and Cairney taking over the armband.

And it got worse when Henry pulled up chasing Watt who, with just Steele to beat, should have done better than prod wide.

Jay Spearing replaced Henry and forced Bowyer to reshuffle his defence and midfield.

But, remarkably, Rovers grew stronger in adversity and Henderson saved from Evans from distance before a last-gasp block by Johnson stopped Cairney from putting a finishing touch to a thrilling run.

Cairney then went close again as his 25-yard curler was pushed past the post by the increasingly busy Henderson.

But, in the 78th minute, the Charlton keeper was given no chance by Rhodes, who placed a wonderful header into the bottom corner of the net after the ball looped up into his path and appeared to hang in the air for an eternity.

From then on Rovers dominated, Taylor seeing a drive deflect just wide before Cairney slashed into the side-netting after a well-worked short free-kick routine involving Spearing.

There was still time for the Addicks to threaten once more, Steele saving from Watt before Adam Henley headed off the line.

But by then they were a beaten team.

Charlton: Henderson, Solly, Fox, Johnson, Ben Haim, Gudmundsson, Buyens (Church 83), Cousins, Bulot (Eagles 73), Watt, Vetokele. Subs: Dmitrovic, Wilson, Gomez, Bikey-Amougou, Diarra.

Booked: Fox.

Goal: Buyens 57pen.

Rovers: Steele, Henley, Baptiste, Henry (Spearing 70), Spurr, Conway (Taylor 21), Williamson (Evans 63), Cairney, Marshall, Brown, Rhodes. Subs not used: Eastwood, Songo’o, Lenihan, Gestede.

Booked: Steele, Brown.

Goals: Rhodes 15, 78, Conway 18.

Attendance: 14,888.

Referee: Charles Breakspear.