Charlton had a goal ruled out and finished with 10 men in a 1-0 Championship defeat at
in-form Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Athletic thought they had cancelled out Emmanuel Ledesma’s first-half strike when Simon Church finished Yann Kermorgant’s cut-back on 70 minutes but it was ruled out for a foul on Boro keeper Shay Given.

Charlton frustrations grew six minutes from time with Rhoys Wiggins dismissed for a challenge on Dean Whitehead.

Addicks boss Chris Powell insisted Church’s effort should have stood and felt Wiggins’ red card was harsh but the defeat leaves Charlton 21st, out of the bottom three on goal difference.

Ledesma scored the only goal on 16 minutes, picking up possession 30 yards out and beating Yohann Thuram-Ulien with a strike that dipped and bounced in front of the debutant keeper.

Mustapha Carayol and Whitehead went close to a second but Charlton created chances of their own with Jordan Wood firing wide, while Kermorgant’s injury-time cross just needed a touch from Church.