As at Bournemouth a week ago, too many Charlton players did not perform on the day.

The full-backs are being asked to play further forward this season and Chris Solly in particular looks less than comfortable in the system.

Johnnie Jackson was ruled out of the season’s opener a week ago and is clearly still not fit. The skipper was struggling early on and it was no surprise to see him replaced at the interval. Hopefully, he has not aggravated his calf by being played too soon.

Yann Kermorgant had possibly his poorest game in a Charlton shirt. To be fair to the Breton, he got scant service and little protection from the referee.

As expected, Danny Green came in for the suspended Bradley Pritchard and Johnnie Jackson replaced Andy Hughes, otherwise it was the same team that faced Bournemouth.

There was some early confusion when the club’s Twitter feed listed Leon Cort as both Michael Morrison’s partner and a sub! Dorian Dervite was taking part in the pre-match warm up and seemed certain to be a starter.

I checked Dickie Davies’ team sheet which confirmed Dervite was in the starting line-up. As some of you may know, Sky use official Twitter feeds to get their team information. When I pointed out the discrepancy to Davies he hurriedly rang Sky.

The game was a dour affair in the first half but improved a little after the break. It seemed to be heading for a goalless draw until Boro snatched a scrappy goal after 72 minutes. A half cleared corner was played back in and Ben Hamer was impeded by Kermorgant as he tried to claim the ball. Lukas Jutkiewicz had the simple task of heading into an empty net.

Charlton huffed and puffed but were unable to get back into the game. Chris Powell will be anxious to kick-start the season at Oakwell on Saturday.

Charlton: Hamer; Solly, Morrison, Dervite, Wiggins; Green (Wilson 77), Gower, Jackson (Stephens 46), Harriott; Kermorgant, Sordell (Church 77).

Subs (not used): Pope, Evina, Cort, Pigott.

Booked: Stephens 87 (foul).

Middlesbrough: Steele (Leutwiler 77); Richardson, Woodgate, Williams, Friend; Adomah, Leadbitter (Smallwood 83), Varga, Whitehead, Carayol (Emnes90); Jutkiewicz.

Subs (not used): Parnaby, Gibson, Ledesma Main.

Goal: Jutkiewicz 72.

Booked: Whitehead 20 (foul).

Referee: Paul Tierney (Lancashire).

Attn: 14,882 (1,117 Middlesbrough).