Jose Riga said Charlton struggled to adjust without three first-team regulars in the side after being beaten 4-3 by Reading at the Valley today.

A brace from Yann Kermorgant and an Ola John strike gave the Royals a 3-1 lead at half-time after Yaya Sanogo had equalised for the hosts.

The Arsenal man reduced the deficit shortly after the break before sealing his hat-trick with a late goal.

However, there was more late drama as Deniss Rakels turned home the winner in injury-time.

Charlton were without midfield duo Jordan Cousins and Johnnie Jackson and defender Chris Solly, and Riga said it was clear that several players had not played together.

He said: “We deserved more. I hate to repeat myself every game but it’s clear.

“In the first half we should managed some situations better.

“We were playing today without Cousins, Jackson and Solly. So we had to readjust the side.

“Some players don’t play together for a long time and we saw this – opportunities were missed.

“But the defending overall has to be more effective.”

Kermorgant, who left Charlton in January 2014, met John’s cross with a simple header to give Reading the lead after only four minutes.

Marco Motta and Sanogo combined well moments later and the talisman drilled a shot past Ali Al-Habsi.

But despite some good moves the Addicks fell behind again, when Kermorgant curled a strike into the top corner.

The French forward, 34, then played in John for Reading’s third goal of the half.

Five minutes after the break Sanogo bundled home his second from Zakarya Bergdich’s inviting cross.

After creating numerous openings, Charlton finally levelled the scores when Sanogo marked his full debut with a hat-trick, calmly slotting a shot past the Royals’ stopper.

But it proved to be futile as substitute Rakels earned Reading the three points in the dying minutes.

The result ensured Charlton remain bottom, seven points from safety, and Riga said his side deserve some luck as they bid to secure safety.

“In the second half we did what we had to do, I thought we were the better team but again, a mistake at the end cost us,” the 58-year-old said.

“In our situation we are not allowed to do this. We matched the opponent, we competed but have nothing to show for it.

“As manager you have to take what you can from the game, the first thing is points but I cannot do that at this moment.

“I’m very realistic and I never speak about being lucky or unlucky until now. Everyone would have seen that we are not very lucky at this moment.

“You have to make it fall on your side, of course. But hopefully in the next game maybe we can have this [luck].”