Lee Bowyer’s reign got off to the perfect start with a 2-0 win over promotion rivals Plymouth.

Goals from Lewis Page and Michal Zyro moved the Addicks to within two points of the play-offs.

It was a first win in five games for Charlton, who were well worth their victory against an in-form Plymouth side.

Bowyer, taking charge of his first game as caretaker manager, switched to a 4-4-2 system and made four changes to the side that drew to Fleetwood last weekend. Anfernee Dijksteel, Page, Zyro and Nicky Ajose came in for Ezri Konsa, Naby Sarr, Mark Marshall and Josh Magennis.

Charlton started like a house on fire and took the lead in the third minute thanks to a wonder strike from Page. The ball fell to the left-back who let fly from 20 yards to score his first senior goal.

The Addicks, buoyed on by a passionate Valley crowd, continued to threaten - they caught Plymouth on the break but Tariqe Fosu shot straight at Remi Matthews.

The Pilgrims were thwarted by an excellent Ben Amos save. Graham Carey cut the ball back to Ryan Taylor, whose effort was diverted onto the post by the Bolton loanee.

Charlton were in dreamland just moments later when Zyro headed in Joe Aribo’s cross in the 17th minute.

Inbetween Carey bending a shot inches wide, Matthews pulled off superb stops to deny Patrick Bauer and Nicky Ajose.

Charlton started the second-half how the ended the first. Fantastic link-up play between Nicky Ajose and Fosu saw the latter shoot wide.

Plymouth could not find a way past a resilient Charlton side, who continued to create the better chances.

Fosu hit the side netting from a tight angle before Ajose had a strike saved at the near post.

Plymouth’s only hope was to shoot from range, and it nearly paid off when Carey’s 25-yard drive sailed just over Amos’ goal.

Zyro replied with two efforts of his own that both went agonisingly wide.

Charlton comfortably saw the game out to breathe life into their promotion push.

Charlton XI: Amos, Dijksteel, Bauer, Pearce, Page (Sarr 87), Reeves (Maloney 90), Forster-Caskey, Aribo, Fosu, Zyro, Ajose (Marshall 82).

Subs not used: Phillips, Lennon, Kaikai, Umerah.