Thomas Myhre made fine stops from Ray Parlour and Massimo Maccarone early on.
After a rather tepid opening it was looking a little bit more encouraging for the hosts despite a distinct lack of openings. The low-key clash exploded into life in the closing stages with Bent heading his side into the lead. Mark Viduka hauled Boro level but Bent and more heroics from keeper Myhre helped Charlton to victory.
Alan Curbishley: "The players have worked ever so hard to turn things around for us. We had to change and I had to decide which was the best way forward, and I think I got that right."
"The first half was painful so I changed it around at half-time to give us a lift and we got a little better in the second half and scored two great goals so I'm delighted. When that cross came in for Darren I knew that he was going to get there. And he reacted quickly for the second goal as well. He's had a couple of games where he's not had too many chances, a bit like today, but they were two great finishes and I'm delighted for him."
Steve McClaren (MFC): "We got a performance from the players but Charlton took the two chances they had. After dominating them we didn’t get the result."
Charlton starting line-up: Chris Powell started so Spector dropped to the bench. Jay Bothroyd started owing to Marcus Bent’s injury, so Shaun Bartlett was named among the substitutes.
First half goal action: None
Second half goal action: Darren Bent from close range rose highest to guide Chris Powell’s inswinging cross from the left goalbound. Mark Viduka volleyed from 25 yards to equalise, before Bent cutting in from the left, got on the end of Luke Young’s pass from the right, which crossed the face of the goal and three defenders.