An open, entertaining game, played in warm sunshine at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday afternoon, ultimately ended in disappointment for the Addicks.
An early second half strike by substitute, Karlan Ahearne-Grant, gave the travelling Charlton fans real hope. Their joy was short lived though, Joe Mason hooked in the equaliser just three minutes later.
The confidence visibly drained from the visitors, and it was no surprise when Sean Morrison scored the winning goal for the Bluebirds.
Guy Luzon had to make one enforced change to the team that lost at Blackburn a week ago, Naby Sarr coming in for the suspended Alou Diarra.
The game started brightly, with the hosts in the ascendency, and Nick Pope had to make a smart early save to foil Anthony Pilkington.
A minute later, Jordan Cousins had to head off the line, following a right wing corner.
But it was not all one way traffic, Patrick Bauer also had a header cleared off the line, and Tony Watt went close with a header.
The Addicks’ fans had their hearts in their mouths four minutes before the interval. Mason burst into the area with just Pope to beat. As he rounded the keeper, he went to ground.
Had referee, Andy Madley, awarded a penalty, he would also have to have shown Pope a red card. He saw the incident as simulation by Mason, and booked the Cardiff striker.u
The second half had an explosive start. Five minutes after the restart, Ahearne-Grant – who replaced Zakaraya Bergdich at the break – scored his first league goal for the club.
Taking a pass from Watt, he fired across Simon Moore and just inside the far post.
Charlton’s elation was to last just three minutes. Mason hooking in from close range to bring the Bluebirds level.
The hosts always looked the more likely winners from then on, as the Addicks appeared to wilt.
Sean Morrison headed in the winner from a corner, fourteen minutes from the end.
Franck Moussa came on for a late cameo, his first appearance in nearly a year, but he could not influence the game significantly.
Cardiff saw the game out comfortably, and the visitors were booed off by a section of their fans.
Charlton drop to 17th in the table, just two points above the relegation zone. They have lost to Wolves, Huddersfield, Blackburn, Crystal Palace and Cardiff, and drawn with Rotherham in their most recent fixtures.
They are also on a run of nine games since their last win on the road, stretching back to Blackpool in March.
Luzon will hope to have more options available for the televised visit of in-form Fulham next Sunday. The Addicks desperately need a win if they are to stop the alarm bells ringing.
Charlton: Pope; Solly , Bauer, Sarr, Fox; Kennedy (McAleny 69), Cousins, Kashi (Moussa 86), Bergdich (Ahearne-Grant 46); Gudmundsson, Watt.
Subs (not used): Mitov, Lennon, Ba, Moussa, Umerah.
Goals Ahearne-Grant 50.
Booking: Sarr 47 (foul ) .
Cardiff City: Moore; Da Silva, Morrison , Connolly, Malone; Whittingham, Ralls, Pilkington (Noone 75), Dikgacoi; Jones (Ameobi 68), Mason (Gunnarsson 85).
Subs (not used): Wilson, Manga, Revell, Tamas.
Goals: Mason 53, Morrison 76.
Bookings: Mason 43 (simulation).
Referee: Andrew Madley (West Yorkshire).
Attn; 13,980.
TAGS: Charlton Athletic