Cardiff 2 Charlton 0

Charlton slipped to 18th in the Coca-Cola Championship on an afternoon to forget at Ninian Park on Saturday where they went down 2-0.

The Addicks, who have not won back-to-back games in the Championship since December, 2007, never looked like likely to improve on the dismal record after losing substitute Jose Semedo and skipper Mark Hudson in the second half.

Semedo, who had been on the field for six minutes, was ordered off by referee Kevin Friend for a professional foul on Ross McCormack.

Hudson followed for a second caution in the 67th following a challenge on ex-Addick Jay Bothroyd.

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Defeat left manager Alan Pardew facing a monumental task in lifting the players ahead of Tuesday's home game against Bristol City.

"We had some tough breaks go against us today and I was extremely disappointed with Jay Bothroyd's reaction to Mark Hudson's challenge," said Pardew.

"In fact I don't think either incident deserved a sending-off. But we've lost another game we should have taken something from and it's obvious that there is something in the side that I need to correct."

Charlton were undone by Scottish striker Ross McCormack, who scored twice to bring his tally for the season to nine.

The former Motherwell man opened the scoring in the 18th minute, tucking in the rebound after goalkeeper Nicky Weaver turned aside Peter Whittingham's shot.

He increased the lead in the 52nd minute from the free-kick awarded against Semedo on the edge of the area.

Had Cardiff not teased Charlton's nine-men by playing keep-ball at the end, they would have certainly have won by a lot more.

Defeat was Charlton's first in south Wales since February 25 when they lost at Swansea.

Charlton: Weaver, Cranie (Semedo 46), Hudson, Primus, Youga, Ambrose (Sam 84), Bailey, Holland, Bouazza, Gray (Basey 68), Varney. Subs not used: Elliot, Todorov.

Attendance: 17,310.