One sloppy, misplaced pass was the difference between two poor teams at The Valley on Saturday afternoon.
Paddy McNair slotted home from the edge of the box after 17 minutes for Middlesbrough’s first win in eleven games.
The result was enough to see Boro leapfrog the Addicks, and drop Lee Bowyer’s side into the bottom three.
On a day when results largely went in their favour the position is not irretrievable, but Charlton must take advantage of Hull’s poor form and win at the KCOM Stadium on Saturday.
If they can manage that, they will be out of the bottom three.
There is plenty of work to be done before that though. The Addicks have lost their last three games without scoring, and have kept a clean sheet just twice in their last 24 league games.
They need to reverse their current form quickly if they are to preserve their hard fought Championship status.
Here is what a disappointed Lee Bowyer had to say after the final whistle:
“I’m frustrated and disappointed again. We can’t keep gifting teams goals.
“We are not good enough to give teams one-goal leads.
“We had three clear-cut chances. We have got to take at least one of them.
“The message to supporters is this – just stick together. We have got nine games to go and we have to keep fighting together.”
Charlton: Phillips; Matthews, Oshilaja, Pearce (C), Purrington (Hemed 83); Cullen, Pratley, Lapslie (Bonne 46), Williams (Doughty 66); Green, Taylor.
Subs (not used): Amos, Davis, Smith, McGeady.
Booked: Purrington 45 (foul), Taylor 52 (diving), Matthews 63 (foul on Clayton).
Middlesbrough: Stojanovic; Johnson, Moukoudi, Shotton, Howson; McNair (Saville 81), Clayton, Coulson; Wing, Gestede, Tavernier (Spence 87).
Subs (not used): Pears, Assombalonga, Fletcher, Morrison, Nmecha.
Goal: McNair 17.
Booked: Shotton 11 (foul).
Referee: Stephen Martin.
Attn: 18,080 (1,750 Middlesbrough).