Kieran Agard’s strike in the final seconds of the opening period condemned Charlton to a narrow 1-0 reverse against Plymouth Argyle at Home Park on Saturday afternoon.
Manager Johnnie Jackson made two enforced changes from last weekend’s triumph against Cambridge United, with Pape Souaré and Diallang Jaiyesimi replacing Akin Famewo and Conor Washington who, along with Josh Davison, returned positive tests for COVID-19.
Roared on by almost 800 travelling Addicks, Charlton started sprightly in Devon, Jonathan Leko forcing Michael Cooper into a smart stop at his near post with a venomous drive on seven minutes.
And Jackson’s side continued to enjoy the lion’s share of possession thereafter as the Addicks looked to make their early assertion tell. Elliot Lee twice showcased his set-piece prowess with a series of tantalising deliveries, the first of which saw Jayden Stockley force Cooper into a fine stop low to his left with a diving header. The Argyle stopper was soon on hand to repel Leko from another inswinging Lee delivery, although referee Craig Hicks later blew for handball.
The hosts stunned the Addicks moments before the interval, though. MacGillivray did superbly to foil Ryan Hardie with an outstretched right boot initially, only for the rebound to fall invitingly for Agard, who arrowed a low effort in off the Scot’s right upright from just inside the 18-yard box.
Moments into the second period, Leko showed Pilgrims defender Dan Scarr a clean pair of heels to burst into the box before delivering a fizzing low ball across the six-yard box. Captain Joe Edwards could only steer the ball as far as the onrushing Stockley, who rifled over with the outside of his right boot.
At the other end MacGillivray thwarted Hardie, before the latter blazed wastefully over after being fed by Panutche Camará.
The Pilgrims spurned another gilt-edged opportunity on 73 minutes, Agard somehow poking wide of MacGillivray’s right upright having latched onto Jordan Houghton’s deep centre.
Charlton continued to seek parity as the game grew old; substitute Charlie Kirk’s cross agonisingly evading the returning Ryan Inniss at the far post, though Steven Schumacher's defence remained resolute to claim maximum points.
Plymouth Argyle: Cooper; Wilson, Scarr, Gillesphey; Edwards (c), Camará, Houghton, Mayor (Broom 73), Garrick; Hardie (Jephcott 90+2), Agard (Ennis 77)
Subs (not used): Burton, Law, Cooper, Randell
Goal: Agard 45+2
Booked: Broom 90 (foul on Gilbey)
Charlton: MacGillivray; Clare (Inniss 68), Pearce (c), Souaré (Kirk 63); Jaiyesimi, Gilbey, Dobson, Lee, Purrington; Leko (Burstow 82), Stockley
Subs (not used): Harness, Gunter, Watson, Morgan
Booked: Gilbey 26 (foul on Houghton)
Referee: Craig Hicks
Attendance: 12,711