Matt Holland and Andy Reid struck either side of half time to give Charlton a deserved 2-0 victory over lacklustre Cardiff at Ninian Park.

The game seemed destined to be goalless at the interval but the visitors had other ideas and Holland drilled home following a well-worked corner.

The breakthrough came in the 33rd minute when the Cardiff defence had failed to clear a Reid corner which fell to veteran midfielder Holland, who made no mistake by hammering home a low drive from the edge of the area.

Cardiff improved after the break with Steve Thompson and Peter Whittingham both going close but just as Cardiff began to find their feet, Charlton delivered the killer blow when the impressive Reid converted a 79th-minute penalty to wrap up the points after Darren Purse had brought down Darren Ambrose in the area.