Leyton Orient 1 - 2 Charlton Athletic
Coca-Cola League 1
ORIENT fell to defeat at Brisbane Road for the second time in three days when Charlton Athletic came from behind to triumph 2-1 - and again the O's only had themselves to blame.
The hosts put in a much better performance than on Saturday and were leading at the break through Tamika Mkandawire's 27th minute header.
But Charlton, dangerous throughout, levelled just after the hour when 17-year-old Jonjo Shelvey's volley bounced into the far corner.
Orient competed throughout and looked good for a draw, but Mkandawire's error of judgement allowed Deon Burton in for a second six minutes from time and gave the visitors the points.
JJ Melligan had the first game's effort on goal of note, but his 25-yard swerving volley lacked power and Charlton keeper Rob Elliot saved easily.
At the other end Shelvey was making an influential start from just behind striker Burton and two minutes later he collected a lay off from Burton, ran towards goal and curled over the top.
Charlton were putting the O's defence under pressure and Jamie Jones had to make a good save at the far post to keep Burton's header out in the 23rd minute.
The home side had barely threatened, but when a foul by Kelly Youga on Melligan down the right gave them a chance to deliver a set piece, they made the most of it.
Charlie Daniels' ball in from the flank was just right for Mkandawire to glance a header beyond Elliot to give Orient an unexpected lead.
Mkandawire's goal halted the Charlton charge and Ryan Jarvis drove high and wide when attempting to catch Elliot off his line.
But the visitors regrouped and Shelvey should have levelled two minutes before the interval but the youngster failed to keep his shot down at the far post.
In stoppage time, Jones had to deal with a Burton overhead kick that flew straight down his throat after Shelvey nodded back across goal.
At the other end, Elliot had to push Daniels' goalbound free kick behind as the first half ended with both sides on the attack.
Six minutes into the second half, Jones had to fly across his goal to turn Miguel Llera's 25-yard free kick behind for a corner.
Jarvis' angled shot went past the far post on the hour following an Orient break prompted by Ben Chorley's excellent tackle on Burton.
But with 64 minutes on the clock Charlton did draw level when Sam knocked the ball onto Shelvey just inside the box and the Addicks' man controlled on his chest before firing into the far corner.
Seven minutes later Therry Racon curled a left-footed effort inches past Jones' far post, but the game settled down and seemed to be heading for a draw until a defensive howler six minutes from time gifted the Addicks the points.
Mkandawire ducked under a long ball forward, but it didn't have enough pace on it to run through to Jones and Burton took advantage by poking over the O's stopper and into the net.
Leyton Orient: Jones; Purches, Mkandawire, Chorley, Daniels; Melligan (Patulea 86), Smith, Thornton (Townsend 90), Demetriou; Jarvis, Scowcroft (McGleish 68)
Subs: Morris (GK), Ashworth, Cave-Brown, Pires
Goal: Mkandawire 27
Booked: Demetriou, Thornton
Charlton: Elliot; Richardson, Dailly, Llera, Youga; Sam (Solly 90), Racon, Semedo, Bailey; Shelvey; Burton
Subs: Gray, Spring, McLeod, Wagstaff, Fleetwood, Randolph (GK)
Goals: Shelvey 64, Burton 84
Booked: Shelvey, Sam, Racon
Attendance: 7,376 (2,794 away)
