Charlton Athletic are in a very precarious position now four points adrift inside the League One relegation zone.

The Addicks were expected to compete for promotion this season particularly after a very successful final week of the summer transfer window.

Another one goal loss but once again the performance did not merit Charlton getting anything out of the game. A fortunate own goal got them back on level terms after a seriously lacklustre first half performance and they were 3-1 down before Jayden Stockley halved the deficit late on.

Harry Pell could have had a hat-trick with a second thunderous free kick appearing to bounce over the line after coming back off the underside of the crossbar. There are so many things Charlton can improve on and zero signs that they are at the moment.

Here, we take a look at three things we learnt about Charlton Athletic after their 3-2 loss against Accrington Stanley...

The relegation battle is official

With a trip to face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday the Addicks could finish the weekend seven points inside the relegation zone.

With another international break coming next month and the club currently four points adrift it is highly likely they will remain inside the bottom four until at least mid November.

Any lingering hopes of an automatic promotion push went weeks ago but now challenging for the play-offs looks a write off as well. Charlton have the second worst defensive record in the division and have struggled to create chances from open play all season.

Nigel Adkins and Thomas Sandgaard have lost the supporters

The attendance of 11,813 was one of the lowest gates for a league match in living memory. Not only was it miniscule but it was likely to be a lot less, with over 9000 season ticket holders that count in the attendance figure every week there is a chance that there were actually under 10,000 at The Valley.

The club have never been in the fourth tier so this is one of, if not, the lowest league position in Charlton's history dating back to 1905.

No consistency

This was already established but was reinforced once again on Tuesday evening. Nigel Adkins' 'names out of a hat' team selections have persisted over the last month or so and it was in action against Accrington Stanley.

Sean Clare and Albie Morgan were plucked from obscurity to be thrown straight into the starting XI with Charlie Kirk falling out of the matchday squad despite playing 90 minutes against Lincoln City at the weekend.

These are bleak times in SE7 and there are no signs of a let up in the club's downfall if a change in the dugout is not made.