Paul Osew’s close-range strike was the difference as the Addicks bowed out of the Carabao Cup, having been beaten 1-0 by AFC Wimbledon at The Valley.
Nigel Adkins handed debuts to Deji Elerewe and Jacob Roddy as the Charlton manager made seven changes from Saturday’s SE7 stalemate with Sheffield Wednesday, while Charles Clayden earned his first start after a brief cameo against the Owls.
After a quiet opening quarter, the Dons fashioned the first meaningful opening of the evening on 26 minutes, Henry Lawrence’s centre finding its way to an unmarked Paul Osew, who had the simplest of finishes from close range.
Minutes later, debutant Roddy was on hand with a crucial goal line intervention, clearing Ethan Chislett’s effort to deny the Dons a certain second.
The Addicks administered the first opportunity after the interval as Josh Davison latched onto Elerewe’s pinpoint ball in behind the Wimbledon defence, though the forward was foiled by the onrushing Nik Tzanev.
Dapo Mebude fired narrowly wide of Craig MacGillivray’s left upright from the angle on 59 minutes, before Davison glanced from Roddy’s whipped delivery from the left flank.
Adkins’ men pushed for an equaliser as the half wore on, though were unable to break down the Dons defence as Mark Robinson’s men progressed into the second-round.
Charlton: MacGillivray; Gunter, Elerewe, Pearce (c), Roddy; Morgan, Watson (Dobson 68), Clare; Ghandour (Stockley 68), Davison, Clayden (Powell 82)
Subs (not used): Harness, Barker, Famewo, Vennings
Booked: Dobson 81 (foul on Assal), Stockley 86 (foul on Kalambayi)
AFC Wimbledon: Tzanev; Lawrence, Kalambayi, Heneghan (c) (Rudoni 78), Csoka; Chislett, Marsh, Hartigan, Osew (Alexander 75); Pressley (Palmer 82), Mebude (Assal 64)
Subs (not used): Oualah, Charles, Woodyard
Goal: Osew 26
Booked: Marsh 52 (foul on Clayden)
Referee: Robert Lewis
Attendance: 3,372 (584 from AFC Wimbledon)