Charlton's U21s bowed out of the Premier League Cup on Monday evening as they suffered late heartbreak to Watford at The Orbital Fasteners Stadium.
Having finished second in Group C, the young Addicks progressed to take on the Hornets in the play-off stage for the right to advance to the quarter-finals. After a goalless first half, the game sprung into life in the second, with Amin Nabizada giving the home side the lead with 64 minutes on the clock.
It took just four minutes for Charlton to fire back, however, as Kaheim Dixon, fresh from his return to action following his loan at Crawley Town, levelled matters. The Jamaica international converted following a superb run from Ibrahim Fullah down the left-hand side.
With nine minutes remaining, the young Addicks put themselves in the driving seat, taking the lead courtesy of another returning loanee in Zach Mitchell. The defender, who has made a recent return from a loan spell at Hibernian, volleyed home on the turn in the box.
As the tie approached its final stages, Charlton were seemingly looking good for a place in the last eight, but Watford’s youngsters staged a late comeback which was sparked by the award of an 89th-minute penalty.
Jonathan Lawson converted from the spot to level the scores going into injury-time and, just as it looked as if the sides were heading for another 30 minutes of extra time, the Hornets bagged a winner at the death as Tobi Akinyimika fired home in the second minute of additional time.
Chris Lock's side are next in action on Friday when they host Millwall at Sparrows Lane (KO 1.30pm GMT).
Charlton: Hardy; Laqeretabua, Mitchell, Ewens-Findlay, Brown; Gough (c), Enslin, Fullah (McMillan 80); Dixon, Lock (Amissah 80), Reid (Safa 90)
Subs (not used): Williams, Kuczynski
Goals: Dixon 72, Mitchell 81
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