Charlton 2-0 Leyton Orient

Scott Wagstaff celebrated his 22nd birthday by firing the Addicks in front early on before substitute Dany N’Guessan grabbed his second goal in as many valley games late on to seal victory.

There were three changes to the starting XI from the side which lost 1-0 at Huddersfield last week.

Lee Cook, who spent a spell on loan at Orient this season and had a temporary stay with the Addicks in 2008, made his second Charlton debut and back came Yann Kermorgant and Dale Stephens.

Paul Rachubka had to punch clear Cook’s corner inside the opening 70 seconds and the keeper was called into action again when he came out to deny Bradley Wright-Phillips on three minutes.

The Addicks striker went to ground but appeals for a penalty fell on deaf ears and there was more fury from the fans behind the goal two minutes later when Wright-Phillips was adjudged to have fouled Ben Chorley when the decision could just as easily gone the other way.

But Charlton’s supporters were a bit happier when their side were finally awarded their first free-kick on seven minutes following a foul by Dean Leacock on Kermorgant which led to the opening goal.

The free-kick was taken quickly and released Rhoys Wiggins into the box, whose low cross was tapped home by Wagstaff from close range.

Charlton had a second goal ruled out in the 16th minute after Leon Cort handled following a corner by Dale Stephens.

The leaders had a lucky escape as Wiggins cleared Chorley’s shot off the line following a Ben Hamer save, with Orient protesting furiously the Charlton defender had handled the ball.

Hamer made a fine stop to keep out former Addick Matt Spring’s 25 yard effort but the Os were forced into a 32nd minute change when injury forced Scott Cuthbert to be replaced by Syam Ben Youssef.

Youssef and Jimmy Smith both received yellow cards just before the interval but it was Charlton who went in at the break the happier of the two thanks to Wagstaff’s earlier strike.

Rachubka made a double reaction save in the 51st minute, denying Wright-Phillips with a one-handed stop before keeping out Cook as he tried to convert the rebound.

Hamer made a comfortable save when he got down low to gather Youssef’s 30 yard free-kick on the hour before Terrell Forbes was cautioned after a late tackle on Wagstaff.

Kevin Lisbie headed wide from Adam Reed’s corner midway through the half and the former Charlton striker tried his luck from long range moments later, seeing his shot go just off target, much to the relief of Hamer.

David Mooney was replaced by Dean Cox before Charlton made their change on 75 minutes when N’Guessan was introduced for Wright-Phillips.

And it was the substitute who made the game safe six minutes later when he was in the right place to head home Cook’s inviting cross from the left to wrap up the points.

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Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Cort, Morrison, Wiggins, Wagstaff, Hollands, Stephens, Cook (Green 87), Kermorgant, Wright-Phillips (N’Guessan 75). Subs not used: Sullivan, Taylor, Pritchard. Att: 17,425.