Brave, brave Charlton took three points from the Macron, despite being reduced to 10 men after just 12 minutes.
Patrick Bauer was fit enough to partner Ezri Konsa at the back, and Jake Forster-Caskey came in for his debut alongside Andrew Crofts in midfield.
Tony Watt was the lone striker.
Forster-Caskey started well, and tested Ben Alnwick in Bolton’s goal after 10 minutes.
A minute later, the Addicks were put on the back foot. Lewis Page made a clumsy challenge, bringing Josh Vela down just outside the box.
Vela would have had a clear shot at goal, so Robert Jones had no option but to show Page the red card.
To add insult to injury, Zac Clough swept the resultant free-kick home to give Bolton the lead.
Karl Robinson switched to a 4-4-1 formation following Page’s dismissal, with Adam Chicksen dropping back to left-back, and Joe Aribo moving to the left side of midfield.
Charlton levelled things up after 23 minutes. Forster-Caskey picked out Bauer with a super ball in from a free-kick on the left, and the big German rose majestically to head home.
The Trotters nearly regained the lead three minutes later, when Andrew Taylor’s cross was deflected onto the post by Chris Solly.
In first half stoppage time, the Addicks stood the game on its head. Forster-Caskey broke from deep in his own half, evaded every tackle to take the ball to the edge of Bolton’s box, to play Nathan Byrne in.
Byrne rifled the ball past Alnwick to give the visitors the lead.
Charlton never looked like a team who were a man short, though they did have to withstand periods of pressure in the second period, but Robinson’s team dug deep to protect their lead.
As the game neared it’s end, Robinson urged the fans to raise the noise level.
The Addicks saw the game out for a memorable win.
Robinson is still hoping to add to his squad before the window closes on Tuesday, but some players are likely to leave too.
Charlton: Rudd; Solly, Bauer, Konsa, Page; Crofts, Forster-Caskey; Byrne (Holmes 82), Aribo (Jackson 89), Chicksen; Watt (Novak 63).
Subs (not used): Mitov, Ajose Dijksteel, Dasilva.
Goals: Bauer 23, Byrne 45.
Booked: Forster-Caskey 43 (foul), Watt 52 (foul).
Sent off: Page 11 (foul).
Bolton Wanderers: Alnwick, Wilson, Beevers (Proctor 82), Wheater, Taylor, Spearing, Thorpe (Clayton h/t), Henry (Wilkinson 71), Vela, Clough, Madine
Subs (not used): Turner, Moxey, Osede, Trotter.
Subs (not used): Turner, Moxey, Osede, Trotter.
Goal: Clough 13
Booked: Beevers 35, Vela 85
Referee: Robert Jones (Merseyside).
Attn: 13,265.
TAGS: Charlton Athletic