Early exchanges saw Charlton on the attack, a dangerous cross from Andy Todd missed a number of limbs before falling into the arms of Sullivan.

Charlton's Claus Jensen controlled most of the central play as the visitors toyed with Spurs in midfield.

It was not until the 11th minute that Tottenham had a worthy attack, but Stephen Clemence's cross evaded the head of Andy Booth.

Fine inter-play involving Radostin Kishishev after 18 minutes saw Scott Parker fire high and wide over Sullivan's goal.

Andy Booth - the main target man next to the diminutive Sergei Rebrov - was not short of endeavour - and he then created space for Oyvind Leonhardsen, who failed to connect.

Jensen's 23-yard free-kick had Sullivan sprawling to his right to gather after 27 minutes.

Spurs, once renowned for their stylish play, were taught a lesson in pass and move football by their London rivals with Graham Stuart and Jensen the visitor's finest exponents.

Never has the tea bar seemed so attractive as it was for the hundreds of Spurs fans who left their seats with a full 10 minutes to go before half-time.

After what they had seen from their charges in the previous 35 minutes - few would blame them. Many that stayed in their seats booed their team from the pitch.

In the second half, Charlton again looked the most likely to score but Sullivan dived well at the feet of Matt Svensson as he was put through after 51 minutes. A minute later a fierce drive from the ever-threatening Kishishev flew over the Spurs goal.

The nearest Spurs came was a tame effort from Steffen Freund, who kept the ball down with his shot from the edge of the box but into the hands of Ilic.

It was not until Spurs began to put a few tackles in and substitute Matthew Etherington added another dimension on the left that the crowd came to life .

Charlton should have gone one up as Shaun Bartlett was put through but Sullivan's legs again came to the rescue as he stopped the effort and the follow-up from Jensen went well over.

Etherington was once again the centre of attention as he ran through two challenges and slipped the ball through to Leonhardsen whose shot was saved by Ilic on 82 minutes.