The crucial Barclays Premiership relegation clash seemed destined for a draw until Fitz Hall was penalised by referee Peter Walton for his challenge on Marcus Bent.

It appeared a harsh call from Walton but England striker Bent made no mistake from the spot as he easily beat keeper John Filan to fire his 12th goal of the season.

The dramatic late penalty was the only notable incident in an otherwise abysmal encounter.

The first half passed without a single clear-cut chance from either club as squandered possession and a lack of imagination took its toll.

And the boredom continued after the interval with Lee McCulloch hitting the left post in the only genuine threat at either end until Darren Bent scored.

Charlton showed just one change to the side that beat Newcastle 2-0 with Dennis Rommedahl replacing Marcus Bent, who was brought on at the interval following a nightmare half by the Dane.

Skipper Darren Bent overcame the knee injury that forced him to miss England's Euro 2008 qualifiers while Alexandre Song recovered from his hamstring problem in time to make the starting line-up. Leighton Baines, McCulloch and Hall all returned from suspension for Wigan while Caleb Folan overcame his ankle problem to partner Emile Heskey in attack.

Some nice early touches from winger Jerome Thomas initiated a Charlton attack and although Rommedahl made a horrible mess of Darren Bent's square-ball, he recovered quickly and tested John Filan with a lofted shot.

Rommedahl's overpowered cross to the far post then saw Darren Bent dive in vain as Charlton sought first blood in a finely-poised, if dull, opening 25 minutes.

Zheng Zhi threatened on the edge of the box two times in succession but was snuffed out by timely intervention from Wigan's defence.

Baines then went close to breaking the deadlock with a well-struck free-kick that just brushed the left post.

Rommedahl was replaced by Marcus Bent for the second half but it was his namesake Darren who had the first opportunity after the break, nodding Zheng's corner wide.

It was a difficult chance but priceless nonetheless with little happening at either end.

Wigan went close with half an hour remaining, Folan firing a cross that McCulloch raced in to meet only to see his effort strike the left post.

Wigan looked the most likely team to break the deadlock as the final whistle approached but disaster struck for Paul Jewell's men with five minutes to go.

Hall put his foot up to challenge Marcus Bent who was trying to control the ball and Walton pointed to the spot.

Darren Bent stepped up and smashed the penalty home for his 12th goal of the season, snatching a crucial late victory for the Addicks.