Charlton lost by the odd goal in seven, in a thrilling encounter at The Valley on Saturday afternoon.
A vibrant attacking performance was sadly coupled with an abject defensive one. Yann Kermorgant had two goals and an assist to show from his return to his former stomping ground.
Jose Riga again opted for a five man defence with Rod Fanni, Roger Johnson and Jorge Teixeira playing in the centre, flanked by Marco Motta and Yun Suk-Young.
Alou Diarra returned after being sidelined for nine weeks, and their was a first start for Yaya Sanogo alongside Simon Makienok.
The Arsenal loanee had a fine afternoon, scoring a hat-trick and did not deserve to be on the losing side.
Charlton’s inability to defend was exposed after just four minutes. A cross from the left picked out Kermorgant who had the simple task of placing his header just inside the post.
Reading’s lead was short lived though. Sanogo glided past a defender to fire beyond Ali Al Habsi.
Kermorgant restored the Royals’ lead after 35 minutes, when he slotted in one of his trademark goals from the edge of the box. The striker received warm applause for his two goals from the Valley faithful, and he respected them by not celebrating.
Between his two goals, Kermorgant put the ball in the net from 40 yards, but the referee’s whistle had already gone for a foul.
It was an open, entertaining game with both sides having chances to score, but it got worse for the Addicks two minutes before the break.
Kermorgant fed the ball through to Ola John, who slotted home for Reading to open up a two goal cushion.
But Charlton showed plenty of spirit, and four minutes after the interval it was game on again. Sanogo’s bullet header appeared to be over the line before Al-Habsi pushed it out.
The ball rebounded back into the net off a defender to remove any doubt.
The game was a pulsating, end-to-end thriller, with both sides again having chances. Sanogo lobbed the keeper, but his effort was cleared, and Bergdich failed to convert when sent clear with only Al-Habsi to beat.
Six minutes from time, Charlton scored a richly deserved equaliser. Al-Habsi could only parry a thunderous Johann Berg Gudmundsson shot, and Sanogo was quickest to react and steered the ball home.
But there was to be a final sting in the tail. Fanni committed a needless foul in stoppage time. The ball was swung in and somehow got through to Denis Rakels at the back post.
Rakels smashed it home in front of a packed, delirious away end.
It is the third game in a row that the Addicks have played well but come away with nothing. There frailty in defence has cost them dear.
They are fast running out of games, and it is hard to see how they can avoid the drop now.
Charlton: Henderson; Motta (Harriott 76), Fanni, Johnson, Teixeira, Suk-Young; Diarra, Ba, Gudmundsson; Sanogo (Ghoochannejhad 89), Makienok.
Subs (not used): Pope, Fox, Poyet, Lookman.
Goals: Sanogo 7, 49, 84
Booked: Gudmundsson 82 (foul) .
Reading: Al-Habsi, Gunter, McShane, Cooper, Obita; Hector, Norwood (Williams 65), Quinn (Rakels 87), Robson-Kanu; John (McCleary 70), Kermorgant.
Subs (not used): Bond, Ferdinand, Piazon, Cox.
Goals: Kermorgant 4, 35, John 42, Rakels 90.
Booked: Williams 76 (foul).
Attendance: 21,506 (3025 Reading).
Referee: Nigel Miller (Bedfordshire).
TAGS: Charlton Athletic