Gary Brazil admitted his team were wafer thin on confidence in his post match press conference.

The evidence was plain to see after Jordan Cousins scored the decisive goal late on. Several of the Forest players sunk to their haunches and held their heads in their hands.

The Forest fans greeted the goal with a chorus of “You’re not fit to wear the shirt,” whilst their counterparts in the sparsely populated visitors section, responded with a typical gallows humour rendition of, “You’re going down with the Charlton.”

Astrit Ajdarevic came into midfield at the expense of Danny Green and Marvin Sordell and Reza Ghoochannejhad were given the striking responsibilities.

The game was a poor spectacle in the first half, though there were one or two good chances. Probably the best one fell to Forest in stoppage time when Simon Cox chipped the ball over the onrushing Ben Hamer, but his shot rebounded off the post.

Hamer recovered to tip Darius Henderson’s effort over the bar.

The game opened up after the break and Jordan Cousins spurned a glorious opportunity after 64 minutes. Wilson made a good run down the right and whipped in a peach of a cross that found the unmarked Cousins twelve yards out.

The midfielder opted to take the shot on the volley and blasted high over the bar.

Cousins was to make amends 17 minutes later. Rhoys Wiggins broke down the left and fed Jonathan Obika. The Spurs loanee saw his attempt bounce back off the same post that Cox’s had in the first half.

This time Lady Luck smiled on the Addicks and the ball came out to Cousins, who had the simple job of steering it into the empty net.

Cue mass celebrations on the pitch and in the away section. Joe Pigott may have been a little less joyous than the rest of his teammates though. Pigott was due to come on but Jose Riga changed his mind after his team took the lead.

In truth, Charlton saw the game out comfortably and were never really pressured by their hosts.

It was a much needed win, particularly as Barnsley won and Yeovil were only denied a shock win at Leicester in stoppage time.

Riga will be a happy man as he reflects on the result in the the team hotel. He will be hoping Chris Eagles saw enough to agree a temporary switch to The Valley.

Charlton: Hamer; Wilson, Morrison, Dervite (Wood 45), Wiggins; Cousins, Poyet, Jackson, Ajdarevic (Fox 90); Ghoochannejhad, Sordell (Obika 60).

Subs (not used): Thuram-Ulien, Nego, Green, Pigott.

Goal: Cousins 81

Nottingham Forest: Darlow; Halford, Lascelles, Collins, Fox; Jara, Greening, Mackie, Abdoun (Derbyshire 87); Cox (Paterson 52), Henderson (Djebbour 68).

Subs (not used): Evtimov, Harding, Gomis, Majewski.

Booked: Jara 45 (foul), Lascelles 90 (foul).

Referee: Andy Haines (Tyne & Wear).

Attn: 17,951 (258 Charlton).