The Addicks were cruelly denied a deserved draw at top-of-the-table Liverpool by a late goal from Jasmine Matthews.
Charlton controlled much of the game but the visitors finished strongly and were able to edge a tightly contested matchup at The Oakwood.
Karen Hills made five changes from a tough loss at Sunderland last week with Emma Follis leading the line in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Liverpool had the first shot at goal three minutes into the game but Yana Daniels’ speculative effort was no threat for Eartha Cumings in the Charlton goal.
Charlton played some nice passing football throughout the first half and looked at their most dangerous when Follis, Ella Rutherford and skipper Lauren Bruton got on the ball.
Rutherford had the Addicks first effort at goal, curling a well-struck free kick just wide of the Liverpool goal.
Rachael Laws, in the visitor’s goalkeeper, pulled off an outstanding save just before the half hour mark to keep the scores level. A whipped cross from Bruton was met by a leaping Rutherford. Her header looked destined for the goal but Laws was able to tip the powerful header onto her crossbar to keep the Addicks out.
Charlton had the better of the opening half but were relieved to see Missy Bo Kearns drive a shot just over the crossbar moments before the half-time whistle, after a good run by the dangerous Taylor Hinds.
The Addicks came out firing again in the second and controlled much of the game. Lois Heuchan saw her whipped cross-shot curl just past the Liverpool post before Jorja Fox smashed a shot high and wide as the Addicks piled on the pressure.
The visitors did come back into the game though and had the better of the last 15 minutes. Rachel Furness’ header went straight at Cumings, and Hinds smashed wide. Cumings then made a brilliant saves to deny Daniels but from the resulting corner Liverpool took the lead. Jasmine Matthews managed to get in front of her defender and looped a header into the goal.
Charlton tried to get back into the game but were unable to find the net as Liverpool secured the three points.
Charlton: Cumings; Roe, Skeels, Filbey, Fox; Ross, Bruton (C) (Roche 78); Wynne, Rutherford (King 79), Heuchan; Follis (Robinson 70)
Subs (not used): Negri, Jane, Sulola, Quirk, Hughes, Godfrey
Booked: Rutherford (12, foul on Furness)
Liverpool Women: Laws, Roberts, Fahey (C), Matthews, Bo Kearns (Wardlaw 62), Bailey (Holland 73), Kiernan, Furness, Hinds, Daniels, Stengel (Lawley 56)
Subs (not used): Clarke, Hodson, Moore, Humphrey, Campbell, Silcock
Goal: Matthews 84
Referee: A Fearn
Attendance: 671