Charlton 2 Blackpool 2

Charlton's relegation to the third tier of English football for the first time since 1981 was confirmed on Saturday as they threw away a comfortable two-goal lead at The Valley.

The Addicks were coasting to victory after two goals in a minute just after half-time - but Phil Parkinson's side capitulated in the closing stages and substitute Lee Hughes hammered the final nail in their Championship coffin in stoppage-time.

With Nottingham Forest beating Coventry, Charlton would actually have gone down even had they won but the way the game turned was symptomatic of their whole season.

They failed to make their chances pay in the first half, but ignited after the break and raced into a 2-0 lead within four minutes of the restart.

Deon Burton's headed in Lloyd Sam's cross from close range in the 48th minute before teenager Jonjo Shelvey collected Zheng Zhi's pass and beat keeper Paul Rachbubka just 60 seconds later.

But Blackpool pulled one back on 66 minutes when DJ Campbell converted from the penalty spot after he had been fouled by Addicks skipper Mark Hudson.

Then Hughes came off the bench with two minutes to go and broke Addicks hearts when he collected the ball inside the area three minutes into added time and smashed high beyond keeper Rob Elliott.

Charlton were the better side, played some fine football and should have been out of sight before the deadlock was broken - but it was a familiar story as they were wasteful in front of goal.

Shelvey showed he is unafraid of shooting with four efforts from distance in the opening 45 minutes, but only one required saving by Rachubka.

Darren Ward glanced a Shelvey corner just wide early on, Burton was narrowly over with a drive from the edge of the area and Sam also saw an effort blocked by Ian Evatt.

Charlton: Elliot, Butterfield, Hudson, Ward, Youga (Holland 86), Sam, Zhi, Racon, Bailey, Shelvey, Burton (Tuna 78). Subs not used: Randolph, Spring, Wagstaff.

Blackpool: Rachubka, Baptiste, Barker, Evatt, Crainey, Small (Ormerod 61), Adam, Southern, Vaughan, Campbell, Burgess (Jorgensen 83). Subs not used: Gilks, Hughes, Walton.

Attendance: 19,615.

Referee: Mike Russell