Jason Euell’s development squad suffered defeat at the hands of Ipswich Town at Dartford’s Princes Park on Monday afternoon.
With a number of the Addicks’ usual U23 representatives playing their part for the first team in Sunday’s FA Cup tie against West Bromwich Albion, it was a comparatively youthful side who took on the Tractor Boys the following day and, despite taking the lead, they could not overcome the visitors.
32 minutes were on the clock when Junior Quitirna was fouled 25 yards from goal, earning himself a free-kick with a good sight at goal. Indeed, the midfielder dusted himself off and tucked away his set-piece superbly, sticking the ball into the top right-hand corner.
Unfortunately, that would be the most that the hosts would bother the away side’s goal throughout the afternoon as a physical Ipswich team began to take control.
Some brilliant goalkeeping from Joseph Osaghae kept the Tractor Boys at bay as he made four excellent saves, including a brilliant double-stop to deny Idris Elmizouni. Saving his shot, the ball came back to Armando Dobra who he also denied from point-blank range.
But on, 64 minutes a cross from the right was swept in by Levi Andoh to draw Ipswich level.
Ben Morris hit the bar with a speculative shot from 35 yards as the visitors edged closer to the lead and they grabbed it with seven minutes left on the clock courtesy of Dobra’s right-footed effort.
And Ipswich added a third with virtually the last kick of the game in injury-time when a left-wing cross was tapped in by Kai Brown.
The result leaves the Addicks in third place in Professional Development League Two – South, a point behind Millwall in second place, but with a game in hand.
Charlton U23s: Osaghae, Yao, Keefe, Mingi (Aidoo 81), French, Maloney, Powell, Quitirna, Clayden (Albon 72), Isiaka, Ocran.
Subs (not used): Harvey, Afrane-Kesey, Barton.
(Photos: Tom West)