Two goals from Leroy Lita kept Charlton's hopes of reaching the Coca-Cola Championship play-offs alive as the 10-man Addicks saw off Plymouth.

Charlton played the majority of the lacklustre match a man down after goalkeeper Nicky Weaver was sent off in the second minute for deliberate handball.

The game barely had time to settle down before Charlton boss Alan Pardew was forced to make changes after Weaver's dismissal with Lee Cook making way for Robert Elliot.

Plymouth almost made their extra man count moments later when a shot by Paul Wotton was blocked by Jose Vitor Semedo.

The game turned scrappy for the next 10 minutes but it was the hosts who created the better chances with Wotton forcing a punched clearance from Elliot while James Paterson had two close efforts.

Charlton's first chance came after 20 minutes and fell to Chris Iwelumo whose 12-yard header was safely caught by Luke McCormick.

The sides struggled to get a grip on the game and both were penalised for fouls before Iwelumo chanced his luck again only to be thwarted by McCormick.

With 10 minutes of the half remaining Pardew was forced to make a second substitution when the injured Sam Sodje was replaced by Madjid Bougherra.

And it was the visitors who finished the half the strongest with Matt Holland's corner heading for goal only for McCormick to punch the ball to safety and clear a shot from Zheng Zhi on the stroke of half-time.

Plymouth started the second half the stronger side and Paterson came close on several occasions to giving the home side the lead while Nadjim Abdou saw his effort go over the crossbar.

Lita and Wotton both traded shots but it was Plymouth who finally made the break-through on the hour when Jermaine Easter latched on to a header from Gary Teale to score his seventh goal of the season.

But their lead was short-lived as Lita headed his second goal for the Addicks since moving on loan from Reading.

And the visitors could have taken the lead six minutes later had Bougherra not directed his 20-yard shot over the crossbar.

Charlton did go in front 15 minutes from time when Lita grabbed his second of the game after a neat link up with strike-partner Iwelumo.

Lilian Nalis had two chances but saw his first effort cleared by Semedo while Greg Halford cleared the second shot.

Charlton almost added a third as Holland and Bougherra went close before the final whistle.

Teams:

Plymouth McCormick, Connolly, Anderson, Timar, Sawyer (Mackie 74), Teale (MacLean 74), Wotton (Nalis 79), Abdou, Paterson, Easter, Fallon.

Subs Not Used: Clark, Doumbe.

Booked: Wotton, Anderson.

Goals: Easter 60.

Charlton Weaver, Halford, Sodje (Bougherra 36), McCarthy, Thatcher, Zhi, Holland, Semedo, Cook (Elliot 5), Lita,Iwelumo (Varney 87).

Subs Not Used: Ambrose, Thomas.

Sent Off: Weaver (3).

Booked: Zhi, Iwelumo, Bougherra, Elliot.

Goals: Lita 65, 76.

Att: 14,715

Ref: Iain Williamson (Berkshire).