Bolton Wanderers 3 Charlton 1
Charlton were unable to build on an early lead as the Addicks fell to an away defeat at the hands of Bolton Wanderers in Sky Bet League One on Saturday afternoon.
Scott Fraser had put Ben Garner’s side in front in the fourth minute but goals from Conor Bradley, Kieran Lee and George Johnston helped the Trotters to a 3-1 win.
The Addicks made just one change from the side that drew at Wycombe Wanderers last weekend. Sam Lavelle came in for Ryan Inniss, who was substituted in that game with a minor injury.
It couldn’t have been a better start for Charlton, with Jes Rak-Sakyi chasing a ball down and beating his defender to it, getting into the Bolton box and cutting back for Fraser, who coolly slotted into the bottom corner of the goal with a first-time shot for his third goal of the season.
Bolton hit straight back, though, when Bradley was able to creep in at the back post and bundle in a Jack Iredale cross to make it 1-1 just five minutes after the Addicks had raced into an early lead lead.
After the equaliser it was the home side who looked more likely to score again with Lee hitting just over and Iredale firing into the side-netting. At the other end, a wonderful Eoghan O’Connell through ball found Albie Morgan racing in behind, but the academy graduate's shot was parried away by James Trafford.
Wanderers took a 2-1 lead minutes before half-time when a scuffed cross fell into the path of Lee, arriving late in the area, who passed home from 12 yards out.
The Addicks were better after the break and Rak-Sakyi twice forced low saves from the accomplished Trafford.
The winger again got in behind the defence and, after a beautiful step-over, shot just wide with his right foot.
The home side had the ball in the net again just after 70 minutes but George Thomason’s tap-in at the back post was ruled out for offside.
It was 3-1 minutes later when Johnston was fastest to react into the box, allowing him to stab past Wollacott.
The Addicks tried changing things up by bringing on Miles Leaburn and Corey Blackett-Taylor and moving to a 4-4-2, but were unable to get back into the game and left the University of Bolton Stadium empty-handed.
Bolton Wanderers: Trafford; Jones, Santos (c), Johnston; Bradley, Thomason (Morley 90+1), Williams, Iredale; Lee (Dempsey 77); Charles (Kachunga 90), Bakayako (Afolayan 72)
Subs (not used): John, Aimson, Sadlier
Goals: Bradley 9, Lee 41, Johnston 76
Booked: Iredale 65 (foul on Fraser), Jones 79 (foul on Leaburn)
Charlton: Wollacott; Clare, Lavelle, O’Connell, Clayden; Fraser, Dobson, Morgan (Blackett-Taylor 82); Rak-Sakyi, Stockley (c), Kirk (Leaburn 74)
Subs (not used): MacGillivray, Ness, Chin, McGrandles, Payne
Goal: Fraser 4
Booked: Lavelle 75 (foul on Afolayan)
Referee: Tom Reeves
Attendance: 19,185