One of four returning Addicks – Matt Spring – skippered Orient and tried to put a spanner in the works before the game had even started.
He won the toss and decided to make the Addicks attack their favoured north end in the first half.
Chris Powell opted to restore Dale Stephens as Hollands’ partner, brought Lee Cook in on the left to add balance and fit again Yann Kermorgant returned up front.
Danny Green was on the bench with Dany N’Guessan but there was no place for Paul Hayes. Danny Hollands was used as the more advanced of the central midfield duo.
Charlton started brightly and took the lead after only seven minutes. Quick thinking at a free-kick caught Orient on the hop. The ball was instantly played to Wiggins, who drove in from the left, to give Scott Wagstaff the perfect birthday present. Wagstaff fired home from close range.
Charlton thought they had doubled their advantage after 16 minutes when a wonderful left-wing corner from Stephens was headed firmly home by Leon Cort. Referee, Mark Brown, indicated that the ball had been handled on its way through to Cort and disallowed the defender’s effort.
Had that goal stood, the floodgates may well have opened.
As it was, Orient inched their way back into the game and Hamer had to make a couple of smart stops.
After the interval, Orient enjoyed good spells of possession without really troubling Hamer. The game was settled by a moment of real class eight minutes from time. Lee Cook – who had shown touches of quality all afternoon – won the ball back before delivering a peach of a centre.
Substitute, Dany N’Guessan, rose to head decisively home.
The win was vital as the chasing Sheffield duo also recorded victories.
Six points against Oldham and Walsall over Easter would surely be enough to see the Addicks gain promotion.
Charlton: Hamer; Solly, Cort, Morrison, Wiggins; Wagstaff, Stephens, Hollands, Cook (Green 87); Kernorgant, Wright-Phillips (N’Guessan 75.
Subs (not used): Sullivan, Taylor, Pritchard.
Goals: Wagstaff 7, N’Guessan 82.
Leyton Orient: Rachubka; Cuthbert (Youseff 32), Forbes, Chorley, Leacock; Porter (Andrew 82)Smith, Reed, Spring, Mooney (Cox 71); Lisbie.
Subs (not used): Laird, Taiwo.
Booked: Youseff 45 (foul), Smith 45 (foul), Leacock 50 (foul), Forbes 61 (foul), Reed 87(foul).
Referee: Mark Brown (East Yorkshire).
Attn: 17,425 (1,092 Leyton Orient).
TAGS: Charlton