home the winning goal in Manchester City's First Division top of-the-table clash at Charlton.

Goater leapt to meet a curling centre from Kevin Hurlock and head powerfully home, despite Charlton goalkeeper Dean Kiely getting a hand to the ball.

The 48th-minute goal, which gave his team a hard-fought 1-0 win, was the striker's eighth of the season and kept City on top of the division, two points clear of Huddersfield and with a game in hand over the Yorkshire club who they play next weekend.

Goater, who had missed the last three matches, almost had a second to put the result beyond Charlton, but after rounding Kiely he was forced wide and failed to get in a shot.

Manager Joe Royle was, however, most content with his defenders, who kept the Charlton strikeforce at bay.

Meanwhile, City were drawn away to nearby Chester City in the third round of the FA Cup which will be staged the weekend of December 11 and 12.