Charlton 2-1 Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest lost for the first time under new manager Dougie Freedman as Frederic Bulot scored twice to earn a narrow win for Charlton.

The Gabon international opened the scoring early on with a 20-yard free-kick after Tony Watt was brought down.

Michail Antonio equalised on 14 when he cut inside from the left and fired a low shot past Stephen Henderson.

But Bulot turned in a Lawrie Wilson centre before the break to register a fourth win in five games.

It was Forest's first defeat of the calendar year and is a setback to their slim hopes of a late play-off challenge, with Freedman's side now 11 points off the play-off places.

They face top-of-the-table Middlesbrough and Leeds in their next two games.

The visitors had several chances to go in at the break on level terms as Antonio caused several problems for Henderson - but Bulot was the more clinical marksman.

Ben Osborn was only just wide with a long-range effort as Forest worked hard to find another equaliser in the second half, although the home side came closest to scoring again when Karl Darlow saved a Yoni Buyens shot.

Charlton manager Guy Luzon:

"When I arrived at the club the only target was to stay in the league.

"I am happy that we are now out of the war at the bottom of the league. Our target for the rest of the season is to get points from every game and enjoy our football.

"We showed not only quality but a lot of character. In football character is very important because in the last two weeks we have played every three days and it is not easy for the players.

"We are not fresh like we were two weeks ago."

Nottingham Forest boss Dougie Freedman:

"I never thought the play-offs were a possibility. I thought we were always too far away from it.

"I've played in this division and managed in it and to win five games out of six, the effort physically and mentally that we've shown just caught up with us.

"The players showed great commitment and gave it everything they had right to the end against a decent Charlton side that was well-organised."