West Brom 4 Charlton 2

MANAGER Alan Pardew admitted that his back four struggled to cope as Charlton were swept aside by West Bromwich Albion's second half goal surge in Saturday's 4-2 thriller at The Hawthorns.

The Addicks, who went in level 1-1 at half-time, suffered through injuries to Chris Iwelumo, skipper Andy Reid and Darren Ambrose who were all forced off in the second half.

"The back four struggled and we certainly missed the suspended Jonathan Fortune and Danny Mills," said a disappointed Pardew.

"When we pulled it back to 2-2 I fancied us to go on and get something from the game.

"Zoltan Gera scored with two identical headers and though I don't like criticising my players in public, I'm bound to say that Chris Powell will be disapointed he didn't do better in the challenges."

Pardew confirmed that both Iwelumo (ankle) and Reid (knee) are already doubtful for Saturday's visit of Hull City.

The limping Iwelumo opened the scoring with a 36th minute header from a Jerome Thomas cross.It was his ninth of the season

Albion equalised a minute before half-time when Roman Bednar scored with angled drive from Gera's pass.

Albion took the lead in the 50th minute from the first of two carbon copy goals with Gera heading home Chris Brunt's cross.

Charlton equalised in the 73rd minute when substitute Izale McLeod scored his first Championship goal for the club from Luke Varney's pass.

But the Charlton defence always looked suspect and when Brunt delivered another perfect cross, Gera again outwitted them to head home in the 79th.

Kevin Phillips rubbed salt into Charlton's wounds by scrambling a fourth with six minutes to play.

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Charlton: Weaver, Sodje, Semedo, Bougherra, Powell, Ambrose (Varney 65), Holland, Zheng, Thomas, Reid (Sankofa 69), Iwelumo (McLeod 45).

Subs Not Used: Randolph, McCarthy.

Attendance: 20,346.