Exeter 1-0 Charlton

The impressive midfielder converted the match-winning spot kick after Miguel Llera had brought down Jamie Cureton in the box, although it seemed unclear whether Llera had actually got a touch on the ball first.

But regardless of the harshness of the crucial decision, manager Phil Parkinson was extremely disappointed with the lack of control his side had over play throughout the 90 minutes preceding the penalty.

A month-long layoff for skipper Christian Dailly thanks to a broken eye socket meant that Miguel Llera and Gary Doherty started at the back for the Addicks, with Matt Fry keeping his place at the expense of Johnnie Jackson at left-back and Jose Semedo taking the armband.

Paul Benson made his full league debut after kicking off his Charlton career against former club Dagenham midweek in the JPT, starting alongside Pawel Abbott.

And an even opening period saw Lee Martin shoot straight at goalkeeper Paul Jones after being sent clear through by Abbott moments after a superb last-ditch challenge from Alan McCormack prevented Daniel Nardiello from racing into the box unmarked.

Abbott brought a cross down beautifully just shy of the quarter hour mark only to just fall foul of the offside trap, though his instinctive shot from ten yards was well blocked by Jones anyway.

At the opposite end the Grecians produced their first good chance of the game courtesy of Liam Sercombe’s low drive, which bounced inches ahead of a lurking John O’Flynn’s tumbling header attempt.

Exeter began to find the lion’s share of time and space on the ball, and two long range efforts from Sercombe and Nardiello flew just wide and into the waiting arms of Elliot respectively.

And although the Addicks were showing the occasional glimmer of their passing game in full flow, the shots on goal continued to come the home side’s way as some defensive ball-watching granted Harley the opportunity to jink around outside the box before firing just to the right of the goal.

On the half hour mark, Charlton finally got back among the efforts on goal as Abbott did well to bring down a cross on the right-hand edge of the box, chipping in a cross towards the lethal left foot of Kyel Reid to produce another good parry from Jones before Reid mis-hit a second crack.

And on-loan Fry recovered from a shaky start to make a handful of vital interceptions on Nardiello and Harley, though the latter managed to eventually force Elliot to tip around the post.

Immediately down the opposite end, Reid again forced a good save from Jones with a fierce drive although the visitors were unable to capitalise from the resulting corner.

Following the interval the Addicks attempted to make up for a disappointing first half, and got off to a promising start attacking the goal in front of their own supporters with smooth play on the right leading to a Martin cross being headed over by an unmarked Benson.

A long horizontal ball from Semedo was controlled masterfully by Martin, who went on a tantalising run into the box only to fire low and wide to the right.

Abbott had the ball in the Exeter net shortly prior to the hour mark, but a hand-ball from the Polish forward somewhere in the goalmouth cluster instigated by his clever headed flick-on saw it instantly ruled out by referee D Phillips.

As the halfway point of the second half loomed, Reid pulled up with what looked like a hamstring complaint and was replaced by Scott Wagstaff, Charlton’s leading scorer prior to kick off.

After further substitutions with Jackson and Akpo Sodje coming on for Martin and Abbott, Exeter had the chance to grab a late winner in the closing stages as an error from Miguel Llera allowed Cureton a clear chance at goal just outside the six yard box but for a brave take from Elliot.

A clash of heads between Akpo and right-back Steve Tully saw both players spill a little crimson but eventually return to action.

And with six minutes of stoppage time given, Llera brought down Cureton after the sub had forced a spilled save from Elliot.

Harley stepped up to slot home the deciding goal from twelve yards and three points for the Grecians on the same day as their rugby league counterparts emerged victorious in their first ever top flight league game.

The Addicks, meanwhile, made it two straight league defeats and just one point from nine after a perfect start in their initial two fixtures.

Charlton: Elliot, Francis, Llera, Doherty, Martin (Jackson 80), Semedo, McCormack, Reid (Wagstaff 64), Abbott (Sodje 80), Benson. Subs not used: Worner, Fortune, Racon, Anyinsah. Att: 5,743