The Addicks were completely outplayed by Forest in the first-half, and might've felt fortunate to only have conceded once in that first-period. A stronger second-half from Charlton wasn't enough, as they slipped to their first Championship defeat of the season.
Chris Powell stuck with the same side that has played every game so far, with Dale Stephens being the only exception, having been the subject of numerous bids from Aston Villa the previous evening. The midfielder's passing ability and calmness in possession was evidently what Charlton were missing.
Forest started the game very brightly, and should perhaps been a goal up with nine minutes on the clock, former Charlton man Andy Reid's cut-back was hit powerfully at goal by Adlene Guedioura, but he could only find the crossbar.
The team in red did take the lead ten minutes later however, after Chris Solly brought down Simon Cox just outside the left-hand side of the penalty-area. Lewis McGugan swung in a free-kick that Addicks goalkeeper Ben Hamer flapped at, and the ball flew into the far corner.
Not long after and McGugan was at it again, as he saw his shot from just outside the area deflected narrowly wide of Hamer's post. Every player in black breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Charlton's best opportunity of the half came in the closing stages, but Michael Morrison saw his header comfortably saved by Lee Camp.
Charlton looked better in the second-half, and Jordan Cook saw his shot from just outside the area fumbled but eventually saved by Camp. But Forest still had the better chances, and Andy Reid saw his fierce drive across goal from Blackstock's chip unconverted.
With half an hour to go, Danny Haynes replaced Jordan Cook, as Charlton looked for an equaliser.
However Forest came close again soon after, Adlene Guedioura's volley deflected over the bar by Danny Hollands, although the referee gave a goal-kick.
Forest did find themselves two goals to the good with fifteen minutes to go though, as Chelsea loanee and defender Sam Hutchinson found a way through the Charlton defence, and finished neatly past Ben Hamer.
Charlton made two changes soon after this, presumably as a reaction to the goal. Debutant Ricardo Fuller replaced Bradley Wright-Phillips and Danny Hollands was replaced by Salim Kerkar.
Fuller made an immediate impact, and with three minutes to go, he pulled a goal back. Yann Kermorgant spotted Chris Solly on the overlap, whose cross was headed emphatically against the inside of the post by Fuller, and on to Lee Camp and into the net.
Fuller almost helped grab an equaliser, as he found his way into the box and played the ball into Salim Kerkar, whose volley was stopped, probably unintentionally, by the hands of a Forest defender.
Forest could have made it three in the final moments, as Southampton loanee Billy Sharp managed to get the ball past Hamer, but not a combination of Chris Solly and Rhoys Wiggins.
In spite of the late action, the game ended 2-1 to Forest, and Charlton and Chris Powell did not have any complaints after the final whistle.
Charlton:Hamer; Solly, Wiggins, Morrison, Cort; Jackson, Pritchard, Hollands (Kerkar), Cook (Haynes 59); Wright-Phillips (Fuller 81), Kermorgant.
Subs (not used):Button, Wilson, Dervite, Green.
Goals:Camp og 87
Booked: Jackson 67 (foul on Halford), Morrison 76 (dissent), Kermorgant 89 (dissent)
Nottingham Forest: Camp; Hutchinson, Halford, Collins, Ayala; Guedioura, Gillett, McGugan (Moussi 83), Reid (Coppinger 84); Cox (Sharp 80), Blackstock.
Subs (not used): Evtimov, Harding, Moloney, Majewski.
Goals:McGugan 17, Hutchinson 75
Booked:Guedioura 55 (foul on Hollands), Cox 65 (foul on Hamer), Blackstock 90 (foul on Kerkar)
Ref:G Salisbury
Att: 19,745 (1,067 Charlton)
What the gaffer said: "Obviously, I'm disappointed, but I felt over the ninety minutes we were beaten by the better team"
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