Guy Luzon’s faith in the club’s youngsters was fully justified as they cruised to a 4-1 at the Abax Stadium on Tuesday.

Six of the starting line-up came through Charlton’s academy, with another four academy products on the bench. Academy boss, Steve Avory, was in the Directors’ Box and must have been very proud.

Patrick Bauer played with his injured finger heavily protected, and the side was skippered by Jordan Cousins. When Cousins came off in the second half, he gave the armband to Bauer.

The game got off to a cracking start and Mikhail Kennedy, on his debut, opened his senior scoring account for the Addicks after just three minutes.

A driven cross from Karlan Ahearne-Grant was spilled by former Charlton custodian, Ben Alnwick.

Zakarya Bergdich was the quickest to react, and he teed up a gleeful Kennedy.

Alnwick fumbled again two minutes later, but he was able to recover in time to foil Callum Harriott.

Bergdich had the best of the other chances in the first half but skied it over the bar.

Nine minutes after the restart, Kennedy burst into the box, only to be felled by Kieran Sadlier. Sadlier was perhaps fortunate to escape a second yellow card for the offence.

Ahearne-Grant despatched the resultant penalty with aplomb, sending Alnwick the wrong way.

The Addicks were rampant now, and Peterborough were struggling to contain their visitors.

Alnwick foiled Ahearne-Grant when he was left one-on-one with the striker, and Ahmed Kashi struck the post before producing a truly astonishing piece of skill.

Seeing Alnwick off his line, the Algerian lofted the ball over the keeper and into the net from fully 45 yards.

Three minutes from time, the visitors notched a fourth. Ahearne-Grant chased a long ball down the left and played it back to Ollie Muldoon. Muldoon whipped in a peach of a cross for the returning Igor Vetokele to steer home.

Jermaine Anderson grabbed a consolation for Posh deep into stoppage time.

To add spice to a terrific evening, Charlton were drawn to play Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in the third round. The match will be played during week commencing 21 September.

Charlton: Pope; Charles-Cook, Bauer, Sarr, Lennon; Harriott (Vetokele 59), Ba, Cousins (Kashi 66), Bergdich (Muldoon 76); Kennedy, Ahearne-Grant.

Subs (not used): Mitov, Thomas, Fox, Gudmundsson.

Goals: Kennedy 3, Ahearne-Grant 54 (pen), Kashi 76, Vetokele 87.

Booked: Lennon 15 (foul), Ba 64 (foul), Muldoon 82 (kicking ball away).

Peterborough: Alnwick; Brisley (Bostwick 46), Santos, Davey Taylor; Jermaine Anderson, Collison, Sadlier (Harry Anderson 61), Maddison; Coulibaly (Gormley 80), Washington.

Subs (not used): Henry, Vassell, Adebayo-Rowling, Angol.

Goals: Anderson 90.

Booked: Sadlier 40 (foul), Bostwick 74 (foul).

Referee: Gary Sutton (Lincolnshire).

Attn: 2,771 (679 Charlton).