Charlton made a welcome return to winning ways with a hard fought 2-1 win over Southend at The Valley on Saturday afternoon.
Ricky Holmes gave the Addicks an early lead, but John White cancelled it out five minutes later.
The winner came fifteen minutes from time when Adam Thompson – under pressure from Jake Forster-Caskey – turned a Nathan Byrne cross past his own keeper.
Karl Robinson made three changes to Tuesday’s team with Andrew Crofts, Ezri Konsa and Frederik Ulvestad returningto the starting line-up, and Johnnie Jackson, Jake Forster-Caskey and Tony Watt dropping to the bench.
Josh Magennis was the lone striker, and Andrew Crofts sat just in front of the back-four, in a five man midfield.
The game was an open, entertaining affair played in bright sunshine.
Holmes cut in from the left and slid the ball under Christian Walton after six minutes to give Charlton the lead.
The Southend equaliser came after Declan Rudd miscued a clearance. The ball was cleared for a corner and White rose unopposed to head home.
Both sides continued to have chances with Simon Cox going close for the Shrimpers, and Nathan Byrne shooting wide for the Addicks when well placed.
Just before the break Magennis drove a low, hard ball across the face of the goal, but nobody was on hand to apply the finishing touch.
Charlton nearly went in front again just before the hour mark.
Magennis’ header from Holmes’ corner was saved, the Irishman’s follow up – an overhead kick – was also saved, and Byrne slammed the rebound against the inside of the post. Walton grabbed it, with Robinson’s team appealing in vain that the ball had crossed the line.
Three minutes later, Stephen McLaughlin was clear and should have given the visitors the lead, but Rudd pushed the ball away.
The winner came fifteen minutes from time. Byrne delivered a cross from the right and Thompson, under pressure from Forster-Caskey, turned the ball past his own keeper.
The Addicks did have a couple of late scares to deal with though. Rudd had to make a smart save from a McLaughlin free-kick, and in stoppage time, Frank Nouble put a driven cross over the bar.
The win eased the anxiety around The Valley, though Holmes did pick up a knock late on.
Robinson’s team will head to Coventry on Friday in a confident mood.
Charlton: Rudd; Solly, Bauer, Pearce, Dasilva; Crofts, Byrne, Konsa (Forster-Caskey 70), Ulvestad, Holmes (Teixeira 90); Magennis.
Subs (not used): Phillips, Chicksen, Jackson, Botaka, Watt.
Goals: Holmes 6, Thompson (own goal) 75.
Booked: Forster-Caskey 83 (foul), Pearce 88 (foul).
Southend: Walton; Demitriou, Thompson, Ferdinand, White (O’Neill 69); Atkinson, Amos (sub McGlashin 63), Timlin, McLaughlin; Cox, Robinson (Nouble 75).
Subs (not used): Bexon, Hines, Fortune, Mooney.
Goal: White 11.
Booked: Demetriou 81 (foul).
Referee: Roger East (Wiltshire).
Attn: 11,730 (2504 Southend).
TAGS: Charlton Athletic