Peterborough took a big step towards remaining in Sky Bet League One next season with a 3-0 victory over Charlton that severely dented their visitors’ automatic promotion hopes.

The Posh now have a nine-point cushion between themselves and the relegation zone after goals from Sam Hughes, Abraham Odoh and Malik Mothersille, with the Addicks eight points behind second-placed Wrexham after being outplayed at the Weston Homes Stadium.

Charlton almost led in the third minute when a looping header by Lloyd Jones from Luke Berry’s corner came off the bar.

But following an indirect free-kick from Mothersille being smothered, Peterborough took the lead after 38 minutes when Kwame Poku’s ball back into the area was headed in, for his first goal for the club, by captain Hughes.

Five minutes later, the Posh doubled their lead as Ricky-Jade Jones broke away through the middle before passing to Odoh, who bent in a fine finish after cutting inside.

After wasting a succession of chances, including a glaring miss by Odoh, the hosts had the third goal their performance deserved in the 79th minute when Cian Hayes’ ball across the area was converted by Mothersille.