SHAUN NEWTON sent Charlton to Wembley with a stunning strike to settle their First Division play-off semi-final with Ipswich. The 22-year-old settled the two-legged tie after a mazy run and stunning shot in the 35th minute to set up a Final meeting with Sunderland on June 1. Ipswich goalkeeper Richard Wright had kept the home side at bay with a superb first-half display, but there was nothing he could do about Newton's strike, the midfielder cutting across the edge of the penalty area before unleashing an unstoppable drive into the top left-hand corner. Wright had earlier pulled off two superb saves to deny Mark Bright, the second from point-blank range after a spectacular overhead kick from the former Sheffield Wednesday striker, but once the visitors went behind they were always facing an uphill battle after losing the first leg at Portman Road 1-0 on Sunday. That would have been a tough enough task against any side, but when you are facing a goalkeeper who hasn't conceded a goal for eight games, that task becomes doubly difficult. And Sasa Ilic duly equalled Charlton's club record by making it nine games without being beaten, an incredible sequence which Sunderland will find hard to break at Wembley. Not that it was particularly difficult for Ilic, who had only one real save to make throughout the 90 minutes, flying through the air to turn aside Alex Mathie's fierce shot after a poor back pass by Mark Kinsella had let the Ipswich striker in. But even as Ipswich chased the game in the second-half , when George Burley's side enjoyed plenty of possession, they never looked like breaking down a resolute Charlton defence. Not surprisingly, it was top scorer David Johnson who came closest to forcing a breakthrough for the visitors, but he just failed to get a touch on Gus Uhlenbeek's right wing cross. When he did make contact with a flying header it was straight at Ilic, who had the simple task of standing his ground to collect the ball. Indeed it was Charlton who went closest to adding a second when a header from Eddie Youds was well held low down by Wright on his line. Now the Wembley focus will be on whether Sunderland's 34-goal striker Kevin Phillips can end Ilic's incredible shut-out record and deny Charlton a place in the Premiership.

CURBISHLEY PRAISES PLAYERS AND BOARD FOR SUCCESS   Charlton boss Alan Curbishley was delighted to see his side prove the pundits wrong by reaching the First Division play-off Final. The Addicks completed the job against Ipswich at The Valley, winning 1-0 to clinch a 2-0 aggregate win and a Wembley date with Sunderland, and Curbishley said: "Most people tipped us for relegation at the start of the season, but we've come up on the rails and the boys have responded magnificently. We've got players here who want to learn and do the right things and they've been really focused for the past few months. That's been a real factor. Everyone at the club has worked hard and pulled together and I think after the season we've had we deserve a day out at Wembley. Curbishley also paid tribute to his players for overcoming the loss of top scorer Clive Mendonca just before the kick-off against Ipswich. He said: The fans were disappointed when they were told Clive was out, but Paul Mortimer came in and did very well. We also had to cope with having to sell Carl Leaburn to Wimbledon earlier in the season and it's a credit to the players for dealing with both those events and overcoming them. And Curbishley also gave credit to the Charlton board, saying: They've always come up with as much money as they've been able to and this success is for them as much as anyone. CHARLTON: Ilic, Barness, Bowen, K. Jones, Rufus, Youds, Newton, Kinsella, S. Jones (Mortimer 82), Bright, Heaney Subs Not Used: Allen, Brown Booked: K Jones IPSWICH: Wright, Stockwell (Sonner 36), Taricco, Dyer, Venus, Cundy, Uhlenbeek, Holland, Johnson, Mathie (Scowcroft 61), Petta Subs Not Used: Clapham Booked: Petta Att: 15,585 Ref: E K Wolstenholme (Blackburn)

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