by Russell Barder
West Bromwich Albion beat Charlton 4-3 on penalties to book their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Roman Bednar coolly stepped up to score the winning spot kick after Dean Kiely had saved Zheng Zhi's effort.
The Baggies had squandered a two-goal lead in normal time after a tap-in from Bednar and a low shot from James Morrison put them in the driving seat.
However, a Darren Ambrose shot and a last-minute strike from Chris Dickson forced the game into extra-time.
The Baggies will now travel to League Two side Peterborough United in a repeat of this season's Carling Cup second round game, which the Championship leaders won 2-0.
Both managers stated their intent before kick-off by fielding strong teams, with Charlton unchanged for the third successive match.
The game got under way in torrential rain in front of a sparse crowd at the Hawthorns and neither team were able to take the initiative early on.
But it was West Brom, top scorers in league football so far this season, who took the lead on 14 minutes through prolific Czech Republic international Bednar.
606: DEBATE
A great cross from the right by Jonathan Greening was headed across goal by Andrade Filipe Teixeira and Bednar, on-loan from Hearts, was on hand to tap home for his ninth goal in 11 games.
Izale McLeod missed three good chances as Charlton searched for an equaliser, while at the other end Ishmael Miller and Bednar were a constant threat for the home side.
Miller curled wide from 20-yards and Bednar headed over as the Baggies increased the pressure.
However, Charlton should have gone into the break on level terms but Luke Varney blazed over from six yards after he was put clear by McLeod.
West Brom doubled their lead five minutes after the interval when Morrison's low skidding shot from 25 yards evaded Nicky Weaver.
Cue the Charlton fightback.
Substitute Chris Iwelumo's shot was deflected into the path of Ambrose who had little trouble in hammering the ball home.
West Brom had chances to extend their lead, but were made to pay in injury time when substitute Dickson turned in Zheng Zhi's cross to send the game into extra-time.
In extra-time West Brom looked the more likely to force an opening and Sherjill Macdonald's six-yard strike was well saved by Weaver, before Chris Brunt saw his shot deflected wide after a good run.
In the second period West Brom's defence failed to cope with the lively Dickson whose powerful shot hit the post.
The game went to penalties and Bednar netted the decisive spot kick after Kiely had saved Zhi's effort.
West Brom: Kiely, Hoefkens, Barnett, Pele, Albrechtsen, Gera (Koren 73), Greening, Morrison, Filipe Teixeira (Brunt 73), Miller (MacDonald 83), Bednar. Subs Not Used: Steele, Hodgkiss.
Booked: Gera.
Goals: Bednar 14, Morrison 51.
Charlton: Weaver, Moutaouakil, McCarthy, Bougherra, Youga, Sam, Holland (Dickson 82), Zhi, Ambrose (Jerome Thomas 71), Varney, McLeod (Iwelumo 63). Subs Not Used: Randolph, Semedo.
Booked: Moutaouakil.
Goals: Ambrose 64, Dickson 90.
West Brom win 4-3 on penalties
Att: 12,691
Ref: Michael Jones (Cheshire).
BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Charlton's Chris Dickson 7.87 (after extra-time).
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