Dependent on which end of the City Ground you were seated, you were informed by the crowd that the mist rolled in from either the Trent or the Thames.

One thing the fabled mist could not hide was the Addicks inferiority. Forest were far and away the better side with former Valley favourite, Andy Reid, at the heart of everything, pulling the strings.

Chris Powell tried a narrow diamomd formation in midfield with Jackson, then Cook used at the tip and Hollands at the base. Cook was also deployed on the left later and when the Addicks were chasing a two goal deficit, Powell changed to a 4-3-3 shape with Kermorgant flanked by Wright-Phillips on the right with Haynes on the left.

Haynes was joined by Ricardo Fuller on the bench and David Button replaced John Sullivan as back-up for Hamer. Cook started in place of Stephens, who did not travel due to the week’s unsettling transfer speculation. Stephens’ calmness and passing ability were sorely missed against a slick passing Forest outfit.

Reid carved out a golden opportunity after just nine minutes but it was thundered against the bar by Adlene Guedioura. The let-off was short lived, ten minutes later Forest took the lead in contentious circumstances.

Chris Solly and Simon Cox were contesting the ball near the touchline when Graham Salisbury whistled for a free-kick for the hosts. Lewis McGugan whipped the ball in with pace from Forest’s left. The ball evaded everyone to nestle in the left-hand corner of Hamer’s net. The keeper will be disappointed with the goal.

The Addicks came in to the contest more after the break though they struggled to create a chance. The game was effectively settled 15 minutes from time when, with Wiggins prostrate, Dexter Blackstock clipped the ball into the void for Sam Hutchinson to run on to and fire under Hamer.

The Addicks gave their hosts a nervy last few minutes when they pulled a goal back three minutes from time. Chris Solly crossed to Ricardo Fuller who hit the post. The ball rolled along the line before going into the net after hitting Lee Camp. Though the goal will initially be recorded as a Camp own goal, with no dubious goals panel in the Football League, Charlton are likely to credit Fuller with a debut strike.

Hopes were raised when the fourth official indicated five minutes of additional time were to be played, but the visitors were unable to snatch a point.

Charlton: Hamer; Solly, Cort, Morrison, Wiggins; Cook, Pritchard, Hollands (Kerkar 81), Jackson (Haynes 59); Kermorgant, Wright-Phillips (Fuller 81).

Subs (not used): Button, Wilson, Dervite, Green.

Goal: Camp 87 (own goal).

Booked: Jackson 67 (foul), Morrison 76 (dissent), Kermorgant 89 (dissent).

Nottingham Forest: Camp; Hutchinson, Collins, Ayala, Halford; Guedioura, Gillett, McGugan(Moussi 83), Reid (Coppinger 84); Blackstock, Cox (Sharp 80).

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

Goals: McGugan 17, Hutchinson 75.

Booked: Guedioura 55 (foul), Cox 65 (foul), Blackstock 90 (foul).

Referee: Graham Salisbury (Lancashire).

Attn: 19,745 (1,067 Charlton).