Snap-shot: Charlton were worthy winners at Ninian Park on Tuesday night, beating a lacklustre Cardiff City comfortably by two goals to nil on what was a frustrating night for all.

The goals came in both halves after a long period of lax passing from both - the first through Matt Holland capitalising on a sloppy clearance from an Andy Reid free corner. Cardiff battled, but could see no way through, going into the break without really testing the visiting 'keeper.

The story was unfortunately similar in the second half, with Cardiff giving away the ball far too often and rarely reaching the opposition six yard box. The match was then closed off beyond reproach as Darren Purse made a sloppy tackle in the Cardiff area, resulting in a well despatched spot-kick from Reid.

It was game over. Cardiff had fallen to a league double being inflicted on them at the first time of asking. To make matters worse, the gap from Preston and Norwich below was closed with wins from both. We remain in twentieth place going into the weekend, hosting Colchester United after their loss to Watford.

Team News

Cardiff entered the match with Charlton making only a solitary change from Saturday's away draw at Hull. Glenn Loovens returned to partner Darren Purse at the heart of the City defence following his one game suspension, meaning City's goal hero from the weekend Roger Johnson returned to the bench. It also meant that former Rangers duo Steve Thompson and Steven MacLean started together upfront following their promising performance at the KC stadium. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink again had to be content with a place amongst the substitutes.

Chronological Report

City kicked-off proceedings by switching to face the Grange End for the second time in a row, hoping no doubt to keep the home omens going after the Ipswich win. Events in the opening minutes were pretty scarce, with only Paul Parry finding the forward foot and Andy Reid whipping in a free-kick that was easily cleared at the expense of Joe Ledley - Ledley temporarily incapacitated for his troubles in the Cardiff goalmouth.

The match continued predominantly leaving both penalty areas largely vacated, with possession being exchanged in midfield frequently to keep the match free of any worthwhile attempts on goal.

Cardiff showed the battling quality we were becoming accustomed to, well illustrated by Joe Ledley and Gavin Rae, though the passing was a little loose, killing our impetus from netting anything of worth. Charlton were lax in their possession also, but showed some impressive moves going forward, largely through the vision of Reid who maintained his reputation of being able to pick a pass from nowhere.

The match was lacking a spark, much so that our attention was briefly turned to Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink warming up to a mix of banter and support from Charlton and City fans respectively. Our attention was quickly returned to the pitch however as Reid tried a speculative mid-range shot that wasn't too far away from Kasper's top left corner.

Charlton then burst forward through Darren Ambrose looking to find a way into the City area after twenty eight minutes, denied by the tracking of Chris Gunter who rightly won applause for keeping his composure to steal possession and clear.

The Addicks increased pressure brought dividends minutes later, as Reid delivered a corner from the right which was cleared in a panic from the City ranks - the ball sent out to Matt Holland who fired a low shot through the mixer and into the back of the net. It was not a moment the defence will want to see again.

GOAL: CARDIFF 0 - 1 CHARLTON. Holland. 34 mins

Charlton took the opener to build their confidence further and continued to force Cardiff to chase shadows as the half continued. Our only highlight of the half came through Matt Holland's bizarre high back-pass that Weaver had to head out to touch to raise a brief smile.

Three minutes of added time were allotted with our hopes raised only slightly as a free-kick from Paul Parry clipped the wall to win a corner. The whistle came, after which City retreated down the tunnel in the knowledge that they would have to create at least something in the second half if they were to have any chance of salvaging something from the match.

HALF TIME: CARDIFF 0 - 1 CHARLTON

Cardiff made a change of personnel after the break, introducing Peter Whittingham at the expense of Tony Capaldi, with Joe dropping into the left-back position. Kevin McNaughton remained on the bench.

Cardiff unfortunately continued where they had left off, with wayward passing frustrating the home support and preventing Charlton from feeling any pressure at all. Dave Jones then after fifty six minutes introduced Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink at the expense of Stephen MacLean.

Charlton continued to press, coming dangerously close through Andy Reid braking forward and crossing into the box.He was denied by ever by Chris Gunter who was head and shoulders the best in a blue shirt - his well timed block winning applause from the stands.

While chances were certainly slim, Cardiff did manage to find more time in the Charlton half, though Weaver in the Addicks goal looked comfortable, some scrambled punches aside. The closest we came was through a mid range effort from Whittingham, while Charlton looked to be happy in second gear, running down the clock and breaking when allowed.

And they did just that, winning a penalty after seventy eight minutes as Darren Purse slipped in the box and took out Darren Ambrose in his attempt to regain possession. Up stepped Andy Reid, who comfortably slotted home from the spot, sending the ball low and to the left of Schmeichel for Charlton's second.

GOAL: CARDIFF 0 - 2 CHARLTON. Reid, 78 (pen)

Charlton's second forced a mixed reaction from the home support, with many leaving for the car park and some venting their frustration verbally. The match continued to form, with Alan Pardew running the clock down further by taking off Iwelumo and bringing on Izale McLeod. Minutes later it was a similar story as Lloyd Sam came off for Luke Varney.