Charlton 0-4 Brighton

The only change from the 2-2 draw at Plymouth saw Lee Martin get the nod ahead of Scott Wagstaff, with the Addicks' top scorer instead forced to settle for a place on the bench.

Paul Benson connected with Johnnie Jackson's fifth minute corner but last week's double goal hero saw his shot blocked by a Brighton defender.

Kyel Reid went to ground just inside the box three minutes later before Lee Martin's header was comfortably saved by Casper Ankergren as the hosts continued to press in the early stages.

Charlton keeper Rob Elliot produced an impressive double save in the 12th minute, first making a one-handed stop from Matt Sparrow's 25 yard shot and then reacting quickly to deny Ellliot Bennett from the rebound.

Sparrow clearly fancied his chances from long range because he was at it again two minutes later with a 30 yard effort that went over the bar.

Charlton came within inches of breaking the deadlock in the 20th minute when Pawel Abbott's majestic header from Martin's perfect cross went agonisingly over the bar.

However, it was Albion who got their noses in front six minutes later after Charlton's defence failed to clear the danger from a corner.

Bennett hooked a pass to Gary Dicker on the left of the area and his low cross was fired home at the back post by Inigo Calderon from six yards.

Charlton's defence were almost caught out again when a quick Brighton break allowed Bennett to run at goal before his eventual shot took a deflection behind for a corner.

Bennett fired into the side netting and then Benson was unfortunate not to get his low shot on target at the other end as both sides continued to create opportunities in an entertaining game.

The Addicks were unlucky not to get back on level terms in the 37th minute when Reid's cross from the right just failed to pick out Abbott in the area.

Reid came close on the stroke of half-time when he cut inside from the right and unleashed a powerful shot which was tipped over by Ankergren before Martin's stunning 20 yard volley from the resultant corner flew just over.

Abbott played in Benson but there was nobody there Charlton should have done better when the first real opportunity of the second half fell their way nine minutes after the restart.

Abbott set Benson free on the left and although his shot failed to find the target there was a double frustration for the hosts because nobody was in the six-yard box to get on the end of the loose ball.

Bennett drilled a low shot straight at Elliot two minutes later as Albion continued to look dangerous going forward.

However, they didn't have to wait too long to double their advantage just after the hour when Jackson's tame attempted back pass to Elliot was latched onto by Glenn Murray.

He ran into the box and seemingly took all of the time in the world before placing a low shot past Elliot and making it 2-0.

The setback prompted Phil Parkinson to make a double substitution on 65 minutes by throwing on Simon Francis and Joe Anyinsah for Fortune and Abbott.

Sparrow came agonisingly close to adding a third when his 76th low shot but there was no argument about the outcome four minutes later when Albion scored again in spectacular style.

A short free-kick was played quickly to Kazenga LuaLua and he unleashed an unstoppable shot from 20 yards past Elliot.

Martin saw an 89th minute shot saved by Ankergren and Jackson's stoppage time free-kick was deflected behind but the visitors added a fourth in stoppage time when Sparrow headed home LuaLua's cross.

A fan approached the dugout to confront Parkinson before being led away by stewards, although he was applauded by supporters who were clearly furious after an awful display.

Charlton: Elliot, Dailly, Fortune (Francis 65), Doherty, Jackson, Martin, Semedo, Racon, Reid (Wagstaff 74), Abbott (Anyinsah 65), Benson. Subs not used: Worner, Llera, McCormack, Fry. Att: 18.949.