Charlton took a point from their opening Checkatrade Trophy game against AFC Wimbledon at The Valley on Tuesday evening.
The Addicks twice came from behind to draw 2-2 thanks to strikes from Naby Sarr and Jamie Mascoll, but the Wombles won the penalty shoot-out 4-2 to take the bonus point.
Lee Bowyer fielded a mixture of youngsters, fringe players, and players returning from injuries in a 3-5-2 formation.
Kenneth Yao, Anfernee Dijksteel and, captain for the night, Naby Sarr, formed the back line.
Mark Marshall, Taylor Maloney, Albie Morgan, George Lapslie and Ben Reeves were the midfield quintet, with Reeco Hackett-Fairchild and Igor Vetokele up front.
Neal Ardley fielded a more experienced team who were bigger and more physical.
Charlton had some good chances early on, and Lapslie forced the keeper to make a great save, but it was the Dons who took the lead after 27 minutes.
A left-wing corner was cleared to the edge of the box. Anthony Hartigan tried his luck, and his effort took a double deflection of Yao and Maloney before nestling in the net.
The Addicks drew level just before the break. Morgan’s free-kick from the left was swept home by Sarr at the far post.
Tom Soares restored the visitors’ lead four minutes after the break with a superb curler from 20-yards.
Jamie Mascoll scored his first goal in senior football seven minutes from time to tie things up again. Nicky Ajose broke down the left, pulled the ball back to Mascoll, who curled it home via the bar.
The penalties were taken at the Covered End, with Ajose taking the first kick; his effort was saved. Morgan thumped his shot home, Lapslie’s effort was saved, and Hackett-Fairchild converted with aplomb.
For Wimbledon, Kwesi Appiah, Hartigan, Mitchell Pinnock and James Hanson all converted successfully.
The Addicks travel to Stevenage for the next group game next month.
Charlton: Steer; Yao, Dijksteel, Sarr; Marshall, Maloney, Lapslie, Morgan, Reeves (Mascoll 57);Vetokele (Ajose 71), Hackett-Fairchild.
Subs (not used): Maynard-Brewer, Blumberg.
Goals: Sarr 43, Mascoll 84.
AFC Wimbledon: McDonnell; Sibbick, Thomas (Purrington 90), McDonald, Garratt; Wagstaff, Hartigan, Soares (Barcham 68), Pinnock; Hanson, Jervis (Appiah 79).
Subs (not used): King, Nightingale.
Goals: Hartigan 27, Soares 49.
Referee: Kevin Johnson.
Attn: 1,244 (143 AFC Wimbledon).