Jose Riga changed his forward players again for the game against Reading at The Valley on Saturday.
Reza Ghoochannejhad – who scored the goal that beat Leeds on Tuesday – was dropped to the bench and Joe Pigott was not involved at all.
Fit-again Simon Church, a former Royal, was the lone striker with Callum Harriott, also back in the starting line-up, deployed on the right.
Yohann Thuram-Ulien’s continued absence allowed Dillon Phillips to retain his place on the bench and young Dimi Mitov took part in the pre-match warm up.
The shape and choice of personnel by Riga suggested that a draw was his aim. The Addicks played some neat stuff in the opening period but, once again, they lacked any real cutting edge and rarely threatened to score.
After the break, Reading moved up a gear and always looked the side most likely to score. The decisive goal came after 73 minutes following a swift counter attack. A Charlton move broke down near the Reading penalty area and the ball was quickly switched to the other end.
From the right-hand edge of the box, Danny Williams thumped a shot beyond Ben Hamer’s right-hand give the Royals the lead .
Reading were able to see the game out without too many scares. Results elsewhere went against the Addicks, with Yeovil, Millwall, Bolton and Birmingham all winning away from home and Barnsley taking a point from their game with Brighton at Oakwell.
Tuesday’s game at The Valley against Yeovil will now assume even more significance.
Charlton: Hamer; Wilson, Morrison, Dervite, Wiggins; Harriott, Cousins (Obika 82), Poyet, Jackson (Petrucci 66), Ajdarevic (Ghoochannejhad 58); Church.
Subs (not used): Phillips, Sordell, Wood,
Booked: Wiggins 38 (foul), Morrison 61 (foul).
Reading: McCarthy; Gunter, Pearce, Gorkss, Obita; Williams, Guthrie, McAnuff, Drenthe McCleary 64); Pogrebnyak, Le Fondre (Robson-Kanu 76).
Subs (not used): Federici, Kelly, Bridge, Morrison, Blackman.
Goal: Williams 73.
Booked: Williams 74 (going into the crowd).
Referee: Andy Madley (West Yorkshire).
Attn: 15,800 (1,794 from Reading).