Manager Chris Powell said Charlton’s 2-1 Carling Cup victory over Reading on Tuesday showed the strength in depth of his squad.

Powell fielded an entirely different starting line-up from the side that faced Scunthorpe on Saturday, but goals either side of the break from Paul Benson, pictured, and Jason Euell were enough to give the Addicks a surprise win over last season’s Championship play-off finalists.

Powell said: "It’s a very good evening for Charlton, especially the 11 that went out there.

"Some people were a bit worried about me making wholesale changes, but I’ve said all along it’s about the squad this year.

"After the start we’ve had in the league this year, the players that are on the fringes were looking and thinking, ‘Will I ever get my chance?’. Tonight they got it and they absolutely took it."

Charlton took the lead in the 25th minute when Euell’s flicked header was capitalised on by Benson, who beat Royals goalkeeper Alex McCarthy to the ball before firing home from close range.

Euell made it 2-0 on 64 minutes when he headed home Simon Francis’ cross.

Reading gave themselves a lifeline nine minutes later courtesy of Sean Morrison’s low drive, but Charlton went close to adding a third when Ruben Bover Izquierdo went on a great run before unleashing a shot which beat McCarthy but hit the crossbar.