CHARLTON squandered a great opportunity to draw level with Norwich and Leeds at the top of League One when they suffered a shock home derby defeat at the hands of Leyton Orient tonight.

Former Addicks youngster Scott McGleish headed home the only goal of the game three minutes into the second half to consign a poor Charlton side to their first home loss of the campaign.

Manager Phil Parkinson named an unchanged starting XI from the side which beat Hartlepool 2-1 last Tuesday evening.

The Addicks started brightly but it was the Os who had the first real chance on 10 minutes when Jason Demitriou cross headed behind by Grant Basey with McGleish poised to pull the trigger, with McGleish heading over the corner.

Jonjo Shelvey’s ambitious long range effort from 20 yards sailed high and wide after quarter of an hour.

Charlie Daniels also tried his luck from way outside of the area three minutes later and although his attempt had more power and conviction than Shelvey’s effort, it too failed to trouble the keeper.

Bailey had a penalty claim ignored moments later when he hit the deck while attempting to get on the end of Deon Burton’s flicked header.

Adam Chambers’ goalbound drive was blocked by Bailey on 21 minutes, and the same player saw an effort deflected by Christian Dailly moments later as Orient continued to look dangerous on the break.

David Mooney headed over Lloyd Sam’s inviting cross at the near post in the 27th minute.

Mooney’s cross was scrambled away by Ben Chorley on the half hour but Orient broke quickly and McGleish’s was only inches off target at the other end with Elliot at full stretch.

Ryan Jarvis was fouled by Miguel Llera just outside of the area, an offence which earned the Addicks defender a yellow card, but Daniels blasted the free-kick off wide from a dangerous position.

Sam cam agonisingly close to firing Charlton in front after 39 minutes when he played a neat one-two with Mooney before dragging his shot wide from 15 yards.

Bailey’s attempted lob from outside of the box drew large cheers in the Jimmy Seed as it sailed over into the Leyton Orient Orient fans behind the goal three minutes before the break.

Burton got on the end of Llera’s long ball forward but his goalbound effort was scrambled away by Chorley in stoppage time, although admittedly there was another Orient defender ideally placed on the line.

Charlton almost took the lead within seconds of the restart when Shelvey set Sam clear and his cross to Mooney ended with a fine save from Jamie Jones.

However, it was Leyton Orient who got their noses in front on 48 minutes when Sean Thornton’s cross was headed home from six-yards out by McGleish.

Jones was a relieved man four minutes later when Chorley’s headed clearance from Shelvey’s dipping cross hit the roof of the net as opposed to the back of it.

But things could easily have gone from bad to worse in the 54th minute when Jarvis’ stunning shot on the turn hit the post and rebounded back into play with Elliot beaten.

Mooney headed straight at Jones after rising high to meet Richardson’s cross McGleish completely scuffed Adams’ perfect and dangerous ball into the danger zone as Orient came close to extending their advantage.

Parkinson was clearly rattled as he threw on last week’s winner Scott Wagstaff in place of Jose Semedo just after the hour in an attempt to spark up the Addicks.

Burton headed tamely at Jones from a corner moments layer, while Shelvey’s headed effort from Sam’s cross was never going to trouble the visiting keeper.

Mooney really should have equalised after scuffing Richardson’s low pass across the face of goal.

It was to be Mooney’s last contribution as he was replaced by Leon McKenzie seconds later, with Burton also making way for Chris Dickson.

Shelvey’s 30 yard drive was easily gathered by Jones Substitute Jonathan Tehoue saw a 76th minute shot on the turn go just wide and then Llera headed wide from Richardson’s cross at the other end.

Shelvey’s powerful 85th minute volley would have caused Jones a few problems had it not gone well wide, and Wagstaff was also forced to try his luck from outside of the area moments later without success.

Thornton was unfortunate not to make it 2-0 in the 89th minute with a free kick which just sailed over Elliot’s bar.

News Shopper’s main observation from tonight’s fiasco is although Charlton didn’t play well throughout, Dickson contributed absolutely nothing from the moment he came on and surely has to be the most over-hyped signing in recent Charlton history.

To be blunt, he is frankly completely out of his depth at this level and if Mr Scally is actually stupid enough to pick up his phone again between now and the end of the month, please bite his hand off this time Parky.

No surprises it was Alan Pardew who snapped him up either.

Charlton: Elliot, Richardson, Llera, Dailly, Basey, Sam, Bailey, Semedo (Wagstaff 61), Shelvey, Burton (McKenzie 66), Mooney (Dickson 66). Subs not used: Randolph, Racon, Spring, Omozusi. Att: 15,955.