Charlton Athletic's miserable season is going from bad to worse
following a surprise 2-0 defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest
in the FA Cup.
Colin Calderwood's troops were worthy winners with first half goals
from Junior Agogo and Grant Holt putting the League One high-flyers
into the hat for the fourth round.
Forest made the brighter start and only a fine Jonathan Fortune
block halted Nathan Tyson's lengthy run while James Perch headed
wide at the near post.
The Premiership strugglers did show signs of life and Paul Smith
had to be on guard to tip Marcus Bent's stinging drive from
distance over the bar for a corner.
However, Charlton continued to struggle and fell behind on 28
minutes when Perch got the better of Darren Ambrose before squaring
the ball for Agogo to slide home.
Things nearly went from bad to worse when Tyson's cross was sliced
by Fortune onto his own crossbar, although shortly after - they
did.
Nicky Southall's right-sided free-kick was easily headed home in
the middle by Grant Holt with Charlton's defence all at sea as
another two Forest players were queueing up to score.
Charlton did lift their game following the interval, although
Ambrose's tame shot from distance was all the visitors could show
for their meagre efforts.
The Addicks should have pulled one back when Bent had a sight of
goal, but Smith made a fine one-handed save away to his left to
stop Bent's flick.
Forest were content to maintain their shape in the closing stages
and avoided any late scares to bag a surprisingly easy win over the
Premiership strugglers.
