Wanderers saw their unbeaten start to the season come to an end on a disappointing afternoon as Charlton extended their 100 per cent League One record, writes Pete Oliver.
The Addicks have made a flying start to the campaign and were given a helping hand as the Whites under-mined their efforts by conceding two poor goals.
The first was particularly costly as that gave Charlton an early lead and the chance to keep Wanderers at arm’s length before adding a late second to make sure of the points.
In between Ian Evatt’s men – still to fully click with so many new faces on board – had promising spells, notably after going behind and early in the second half.
But without being able to pick the right pass or find their way through a resolute and physically strong Charlton side, they too rarely looked like getting the goal that might turn the contest in their favour to avoid a first league loss.
Wanderers had taken maximum points on their three previous visits to The Valley and were unchanged from the side that started their home programme with a draw against Wrexham as they looked to extend their winning streak.
This Charlton side had form in the book, though, and were given a leg up when Wanderers conceded a disastrous goal just 10 minutes in.
Ricardo Almeida Santos failed to locate a team-mate with his pass out from the back and when Thierry Small collected the loose ball, he picked out Greg Docherty to hand out maximum punishment with a thundering finish.
To get back into the contest that meant Wanderers had to become the first side to score a league goal against the Addicks so far this season and even though they set about it in positive fashion with an impressive response, an equaliser proved elusive.
Aaron Collins carried a threat as he kept picking up the ball in dangerous areas, although he could have made more of a free-kick he earned just outside the penalty area.
And Charlton goalkeeper Will Mannion was only really tested once before the break as he dropped down to stop a shot on the turn from Dion Charles as a couple of promising openings broke down at the critical moment.
Wanting a little more and with Josh Dacres-Cogley feeling a knock, Evatt made a double change at the break as he sent on Victor Adeboyejo and summer signing Jordi Osei-Tutu.
And in an upbeat start Adeboyejo was quickly into the action as he held the ball up before turning to direct an effort at Mannion from the edge of the box.
Wanderers were unable to maintain the momentum for a sustained period, though, as Charlton did what they had to stay in front in an increasingly disjointed contest.
With a quarter of the game to go Evatt sent on Kyle Dempsey, swiftly followed by Jay Matete, to try and inject some fresh energy, although it was Charlton who could have added to their lead when substitute Chuks Aneke headed over the top from a corner.
Wanderers plugged away with plenty of possession around the Charlton area without really threatening to find a way through.
And any hopes of grabbing a late equaliser were undone three minutes from the end when Wanderers against conceded possession and Charlton substitute Matty Godden dived to head home and
Wanderers: Baxter; Toal, Almeida Santos, Johnston (Arfield 88); Dacres-Cogley (Osei-Tutu HT), Sheehan (Dempsey 66), Thomason (Matete 72), Schön; Collins, Charles (Adeboyejo, HT), McAtee. Substitutes: Southwood, Forino, Arfield.
Booked: Schön, Matete, Toal
Charlton: Mannion; Mitchell, Jones, Gillesphey; Ramsay, Berry (Anderson 87), Docherty, Small; Ahadme (Godden 66), Campbell (Aneke 66). Substitutes: Maynard-Brewer, Maynard, Edmonds-Green, Watson, Kanu.
Booked: Berry, Coventry, Jones
Referee: Lee Swabey
Attendance: 14,365 (1,337 Wanderers)