Jordan Roberts’ second-half goal was the difference as Charlton suffered a 1-0 defeat at Stevenage on Saturday.
Nathan Jones made six changes from the side that played Blackpool last weekend, with the Addicks moving to a 3-4-3 formation for the first time this season.
Charlton controlled the opening half-hour of the game, with the home side hardly getting a look-in. Josh Edwards, making his first start since suffering an injury against Leyton Orient in August, came closest to giving Charlton a first-half lead with a low drive that was touched behind by Stevenage stopper Murphy Cooper.
A short corner routine produced a chance for Matty Godden near the edge of the area, but his shot cleared the bar.
Stevenage looked most dangerous from set pieces and skipper Carl Piergianni had Will Mannion scrambling across his goal with a header from the edge of the area, though Conor Coventry was able to get a head to it to divert it wide of goal.
The home side had the better of the start of the second half but the introduction of Chuks Aneke in the 56th minute nearly paid immediate dividends. Tyreece Campbell’s clever through ball put Aneke through on goal but the striker’s powerful shot just cleared the crossbar.
It was the 67th minute when Stevenage took the lead with a swift counter-attack from a Charlton corner. Substitute Jamie Reid cushioned the ball neatly for Jordan Roberts to smash a shot home.
Mannion was forced into a good save to keep the score at 1-0, pushing a Jake Young shot over his crossbar.
Macaulay GIllesphey’s late header was cleared of the line by Piergianni as Stevenage were able to hold on to their advantage.
The Addicks are back in action on Tuesday when they make the trip to Bristol Rovers.
Stevenage: Cooper, James-Wildin, Butler, Thompson, Piergianni (c), Kemp (Phillips 81), Roberts (Freeman 84), Simpson (Reid 56), List (Young 56), White (King 85), Thompson
Subs (not used): Ashby-Hammond, Freestone
Goal: Roberts 67
Assist: Reid 67
Booked: Roberts 33 (foul on T.Campbell), Kemp 36 (throwing the ball away), White 68 (foul on T.Campbell)
Charlton: Mannion; A.Mitchell, Jones (c), Potts (Berry 74); Ramsay, Coventry, Anderson (Docherty 87), Edwards (Gillesphey 74); Kanu (Watson 87), Godden (Aneke 56), T.Campbell
Subs (not used): Maynard-Brewer, A.Campbell
Booked: Potts 39 (foul on List), Edwards 49 (foul on Roberts), Coventry 53 (foul on Roberts), Jones 90+1 (push on Phillips)
Referee: Scott Tallis
