A much improved second-half performance, saw Charlton secure their place in the second round of the FA Cup, with a comprehensive 5-0 win over Mansfield.
A Lyle Taylor hat-trick, plus strikes from substitute Mark Marshall and Nicky Ajose did the damage, though the score flattered Lee Bowyer’s side.
Bowyer adopted his usual midfield diamond formation, with Billy Clarke at the base, George Lapslie and Darren Pratley in the middle, and Tariqe Fosu at the tip.
The position did not suit Clarke, and Bowyer shuffled his pack before half-time, swapping Clarke and Lapslie over.
Taylor put the Addicks ahead after 11 minutes, when he prodded home Fosu’s left-wing cross from close range.
Mansfield more than matched Charlton for the rest of the half. It took a terrific tackle from Patrick Bauer – playing his first game after a lengthy spell on the sidelines – to foil CJ Hamilton.
Hamilton then struck the outside of the post after a sweeping move down the right.
But the south Londoners moved up a gear after the interval.
A move down the left involving Clarke, TobyStevenson and Ajose, gave Taylor the opportunity to double the hosts’ lead.
Substitute, Mark Marshall, got in on the act nine minutes from time. Ajose put Stevenson clear on the left, and Marshall had the simplest of finishes to touch home the young full-back’s low, driven cross.
Three minutes later, Taylor completed his hat-trick with the goal of the night. He took a pass from Brendan Sarpong-Wiredu on the right of the box, and beat Bobby Olejnik with an exquisite chip that Claus Jensen would have been proud of.
There was still time for the Addicks to add a fifth. Ajose beat Olejnik to a through ball, advanced and fired past the defender on the line for a richly deserved goal.
After the match, Bowyer was fulsome in his praise of both his strikers:
”The third one (Taylor’s chip to complete his hat-trick), that’s just him. His brilliance, he does that every week in training.
“You’ve got to praise Nicky (Ajose) for the first two he set up. How many times do we get into that situation and don’t make the right pass or right decision?
“It is the best game Nicky has had for us since I’ve been in charge.
“He ran in behind, he fought and chased the ball down. He did everything properly today for me, then he got rewarded with his goal.
“I’m over the moon for Lyle, but there are a lot of other positives to come out of tonight. Patrick Bauer got an hour into him. Billy Clarke got another 70 minutes or so.
“I’d like to think I’m fair. I said they were a good team. It wasn’t a 5-0 result for me. They could have scored three or four. They missed some chances.
“Yeah be happy, I’m happy, but don’t get too ahead of yourself because, trust me, on the night it wasn’t that result,” said Bowyer.
Charlton will now face Doncaster at The Valley in the second round on Sunday 2 December. The game will kick-off at 2.00pm.
Charlton: Phillips; Dijksteel, Bauer (Sarpong-Wiredu, 61), Sarr, Stevenson; Clarke (Morgan, 74), Pratley (Marshall, 66), Lapslie, Fosu; Taylor, Ajose.
Subs (not used): Steer, Grant, Hackett-Fairchild.
Goals: Taylor 11, 53, 85, Marshall 82, Ajose 90.
Booked: Taylor 55 (foul).
Mansfield: Olejnik; Preston, Pearce, Sweeney, Benning; Atkinson, Mellis (White 22), Elsnik; Hamilton (Graham 61), Rose (Walker 61), Butcher.
Subs (not used): Logan, Law, Gibbens, Blake
Booked: Atkinson 57 (foul), White 82 (dissent), Pearce 84 (foul).
Referee: Kevin Johnson.
Attn: 1,910 (291 Mansfield).