Two first half goals for Charlton Athletic meant defeat on the road for Albion as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat at The Valley.

Burton's propensity for conceding early in games haunted them again as Conor Washington fired the home side ahead on 12 minutes latching onto a long clearance and as Albion sought to go in at the break just a goal adrift to reset for the second half Corey Blackett-Taylor found the bottom corner to give Albion a mountain to climb in the second half but despite attacking changes there was to be no repeat of the comeback shown last time out against Fleetwood.

Albion welcomed Ciaran Gilligan and Joe Powell back into the side, the midfield pair having missed last weekend's victory through injury. There was also a return to the starting line-up for Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, the former Manchester United youngster having been on the bench last time out. Michael Mancienne, Charlie Lakin and Harry Chapman all dropped to the bench.

The home line-up featured a couple of familiar faces with both Scott Fraser and Sean Clare starting for the Addicks.

On a blustery afternoon in south-east London it was Albion with the first real chance on three minutes. Tom Hamer resisted the chance to hurl a long throw into the box, instead throwing short to Borthwick-Jackson and the winger curled in a cross that was poked wide, under pressure by Conor Shaughnessy.

Despite a bright start from the Brewers they found themselves behind on 12 minutes. Goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray provided the assist with a long clearance that found WASHINGTON in a foot race with Gilligan. The striker got there first and as Ben Garratt advanced to the edge of his area to try and close down the Irish international steered the ball beyond the keeper and into the unguarded net.

As Albion went in search of an equaliser Jonny Smith saw an effort deflected over the top as the ball bounced in the area from a Hamer throw. Burton continued to see more of the ball and Smith saw an effort blocked inside the box after a mazy run across the edge of the box before the Brewers went closer still a minute later when a loose ball fell nicely for Deji Ohsilaja on the edge of the penalty area and his effort beat MacGillivray but thudded against the crossbar.

Albion almost produced a stunning equaliser on 39 minutes. A long ball out of defence from John Brayford found Oumar Niasse and he showed superb control to bring the bal down and beat Sam Lavelle inside the box but on the turn his shot was always rising and cleared the bar.

But for all Albion's promising play they conceded another sucker punch goal three minutes before the break. Charlton worked the ball around and Fraser found BLACKETT-TAYLOR in a bit of space on the left. It looked like the wrong decision to cut inside where there were plenty of covering players but the wing-back managed to squeeze a low shot through a crowded box and inside Garratt's post.

Half time: Charlton Athletic 2-0 Burton Albion

Both sides enjoyed some attacking joy in the early moments of the second half. Charlton countered on a couple of occasions with Blackett-Taylor getting away down the left but he was relatively well marshalled into shooting wide before leaving the field due to injury. For Albion a promising counter from Hamer fizzled out when his attempted pass to Niasse was cut out and Brayford then saw a shot blocked inside the area.

Albion turned to the bench on 65 minutes with both Smith and Joe Powell replaced for the last quarter of the game. The introduction of Chapman and Christian Saydee in their place saw Albion switch to three at the back to enable Saydee to join Niasse in attack.

Garratt showed good hands to stop a header from Jayden Stockley as the home side threatened a third before Albion turned to Adlene Guedioura for the final twenty minutes.

The Algerian midfielder used all of his experience to try and create something for the Brewers and a neat ball into the box for Niasse almost opened up the home defence, the Senegalese striker turning sharpply but seeing his low drive blocked.

As the game entered stoppage time Shaughnessy fired over with Guedioura placed behind him and perhaps better placed to strike, the ball flying high over the bar summing up Albion's frustrations in front of goal on a disappointing afternoon in the capital.

ALBION: Garratt, Brayford, Hughes, Oshilaja, Hamer; Shaughnessy; Smith (Chapman, 65), Gilligan (Guedioura, 71), Powell (Saydee, 65), Borthwick-Jackson; Niasse.
Substitutes: Ahadme, Moult, Mancienne, Lakin.

GOALS: CHARLTON - Washington (12), Blackett-Taylor (42)

Referee: Rebecca Welch

Attendance: 11,348 (320 away)