Charlton Stumble

Chris Powell's winning streak was ended at Victoria Park last night as Charlton went down 2-1 to Hartlepool.


On the back of four consecutive wins, laced with a generous dash of good fortune, confidence was high as the Addicks travelled to the North East.

Therry Racon's troublesone knee ruled him out of the match, leaving Powell with an unbalanced looking bench, comprising a keeper, two young right-backs, two central defenders and two wingers. There was flexibility on the pitch, however, with Eccleston starting wide right but able to play through the middle.

Charlton suffered an early set back when Hartlepool were awarded A 14th minute free-kick on the right hand edge of the area. Evan Horwood's cleverly flighted kick was touched on to the bar by Elliot with Andy Monkhouse reacting quickest to stab the rebound home.

The hosts were controlling the match with Abbott and Wright-Phillips being starved of service up front.

Powell has not seen his team score in the opening period but has had the knack of turning things round after the break, and he did it again. The hard working Abbott chased the ball down on the left to carve out a chance for Eccleston to equalise.

For a few minutes Charlton threatened to take control of the game. They looked quick and incisive and it seemed just a matter of time before they took the lead. Alas, this phase of play was short lived as they were again undone by a set piece. Evan Horwood was, once more, the architech of their downfall. He took a right wing corner and Gary Liddle rose unopposed to head past Elliot.

Charlton had one or two opportunities, the best when Bradley Wright-Phillips headed against the bar. The night was best summed up in injury time. Kyle Reid, on as a substitute for McCormack, took a corner on the right and hit it straight into the side netting.

For Powell, the hard work begins in earnest now.

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