Plymouth Argyle 2 Charlton 0

Despite a spirited showing, Charlton were condemned to a 2-0 defeat at high-flying Plymouth Argyle on Saturday afternoon.

In-form striker Ryan Hardie opened the scoring at Home Park just nine seconds after the restart before substitute Niall Ennis added Argyle’s second late on as the Addicks sought parity.

Dean Holden made one change to the side that claimed a hard-fought point at Peterborough United in midweek, with Gavin Kilkenny coming in for Scott Fraser who missed out with a hip problem.

Charlton started sprightly in Devon and Kilkenny and Jack Payne both shot over in the early exchanges, while Lucas Ness produced an outstanding tackle to deny Hardie at the other end.

Ryan Inniss, Ashley Maynard-Brewer and Michael Hector did likewise in the closing stages of the opening period as Hardie continued to threat.

Hardie and Argyle's goal came moments after the break when the Scot charged down Ness' clearance from kick-off and lobbed the advancing Maynard-Brewer.

Holden rang the changes on 65 minutes as Daniel Kanu, Miles Leaburn and Corey Blackett-Taylor all entered the fray.

The trio certainly made their presence felt as the Addicks looked to level proceedings, only for Ennis to bag the Pilgrims' second three minutes from time following a swift counter-attack. Skipper Joe Edwards broke centrally and found substitute Callum Wright, who cut it back for Ennis to stroke home.

Plymouth: Burton; Wilson, Gillesphey, Galloway (Lonwijk 81); Edwards (c), Houghton, Butcher, Mumba (Earley 88); Azaz (Ennis 81), Mayor (Wright 71); Hardie (Cosgrove 81)

Subs (not used): Parkes, Matete

Goals: Hardie 46, Ennis 87

Charlton: Maynard-Brewer; Ness, Inniss, Hector (Blackett-Taylor 65); Clare, Dobson (c), Kilkenny, Sessegnon; Payne (Kanu 65); Rak-Sakyi, Bonne (Leaburn 65)

Subs (not used): Wollacott, Thomas, Henry, Morgan

Referee: Andy Woolmer

Attendance: 16,011 (655 from Charlton)