Charlton slipped to defeat at the hands of Peterborough United at the Weston Homes Stadium on Saturday.
Despite looking dangerous in the early exchanges, two goals in quick succession late in the first half knocked the Addicks off their stride, before the home side added a third 11 minutes from time to condemn Nathan Jones's side to a first defeat in seven.
The Londoners were out of the traps quickly and came close to opening the scoring twice in the first two minutes - Matty Godden saw his effort deflect narrowly wide after Tyreece Campbell had sprung a quick counter-attack, while Lloyd Jones came even closer with a looping header from the resulting corner which bounced back off the crossbar.
Charlton’s press was causing real problems for their hosts as their early attacks came in waves. Godden saw another good effort well blocked after a neat knockdown in the box, before Macaulay Gillesphey diverted a cross into the side netting shortly after.
The Addicks were knocking on the door, but Posh looked to catch them out when they staged a counter of their own as Kwame Poku forced Will Mannion into a save at his near post with 23 minutes on the clock.
Peterborough were given a good opportunity to break the deadlock in unusual circumstances when Mannion made the decision to pick up Thierry Small’s pass back just six yards from goal.
With every man behind the ball to rush the indirect free-kick, Charlton did brilliantly to thwart Ricky Jade-Jones’ effort, but would find themselves behind seconds later.
Having done the hard bit by keeping out the close-range free-kick, the Addicks could not clear their lines from the recycled ball back into the box where the unmarked Sam Hughes was able to head home.
In truth, the goal had come against the run of play and the visitors nearly found an instant reaction when Thierry Small’s firm shot was kept out by former Addick Jed Steer at his near post.
But Charlton would somehow find themselves two down going in to the break with Posh snatching another through former academy product Abraham Odoh.
Another swift counter resulted in Odoh getting into the box on the left and finding to far corner to put his side firmly in the driving seat.
The Addicks would have to come out for the restart on the front foot and they did just that as they looked to apply pressure and regain a foothold on the game.
Luke Berry looked to catch Steer of his line with a lob from the edge of the box which dipped over, while sub Chuks Aneke headed over in the early exchanges of the second period.
But all the while the Londoners pushed, Peterborough were all-too happy to remind them of their threat on the counter - Odoh should have made it three when he fired over from a good position in the box, before Malik Mothersille fired straight at Mannion.
Mothersille skied another good opportunity over the bar after the hour mark, while Odoh was denied by Mannion from close range as the Addicks were seemingly clinging on, despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession.
The time was ticking away, and with it came Charlton’s hopes of salvaging something from the game. And with 10 minutes left on the clock, that hope all but evaporated when Posh scored their third - Mothersille finally finding a way through by stroking home 10 yards from goal.
Jones’ men will dust themselves off before going again next Saturday when they host Huddersfield Town in SE7.
Peterborough United: Steer, Collins, Wallin, Mothersille (Fernandez 82), Odoh, Poku (Hayes 54), Jones, Susoho (Havilland 82), Hughes, Dornelly (Johnston 61), Mills.
Subs (not used): Bilokapic, Conn-Clarke, Katongo.
Booked: Mills 47 (delaying restart), Mothersille 80 (removing shirt)
Goals: Hughes 38, Odoh 43, Mothersille 79
Charlton: Mannion, Ramsay, Jones, Gillesphey, Watson (Aneke 55), Coventry (Ahadme 82), Berry (McIntyre 69), Docherty, Small, Godden (Gilbert 70), Campbell (Anderson 82).
Subs (not used): Bouzanis, Enslin.
Booked: Jones 4 (foul on Jones), Anderson 90+3 (foul on Johnston)
Referee: Scott Tallis
Attendance: 10,231 (2,764 from Charlton)
