Late drama ensued at Roots Hall as Arsenal loanee Krystian Bielik grabbed a late winner to secure Charlton’s second league win this season.

Substitute Tariqe Fosu was sent off alongside Michael Kightly and Mark Oxley as the Addicks found the net twice during the second half.

Lyle Taylor scored shortly before the hour mark to give Charlton the lead before former Millwall striker Theo Robinson hit the equaliser for Southend United.

Though it was after caretaker boss Lee Bowyer introduced changes late on through George Lapslie and Igor Vetokele that Bielik headed home from a corner.

Charlton now have eight points from six matches as they now sit 10th in League One, level with Luton Town and three behind sixth-placed Fleetwood Town.

New signing Jamie Ward was in the stands at Roots Hall as Bowyer handed a debut to West Ham loanee Josh Cullen, with skipper Jason Pearce also returning.

The first 45 minutes were goalless as Lewis Page fired a cross into Ajose which was then volleyed wide of the target shortly before the break.

But the Addicks saw three players go into the referee’s book as Pearce, Taylor, and Darren Pratley were all cautioned.

Taylor found the net on 57 minutes when he finished off an assist from Karlan Grant, though it was wiped out minutes later by Robinson.

Both teams introduced changes throughout the restart, and Charlton’s breakthrough came when Bielik scored in the 87th minute.

Celebrations soured a little as chaos ensued towards injury time, with Tariqe Fosu receiving a second yellow in 10 minutes and substitute George Lapslie also getting booked.

Southend, who went down to nine men, tried to find a late reply but the visitors held on for all three points.