Charlton’s promotion hopes suffered another blow after losing to rivals Scunthorpe on Saturday.

A second defeat in four days has left the Addicks two points off the top six with four games to go.

Here are five things we learned…

A top-six spot is hanging by a thread

In normal circumstances, sitting just two points from the play-off places with four games to go wouldn't be a bad position.

But Charlton’s form over the last three games coupled with their difficult run-in, makes it a bad position.

Lee Bowyer’s men face a daunting trip to automatic-promotion-chasing Shrewsbury tomorrow before travelling to play-off hopefuls Portsmouth on Saturday. After that? Blackburn at home.

It doesn't get much tougher than that.

Fight and desire is needed again

Any possibilities of winning promotion seemed over before Bowyer’s first game in charge against in-form Plymouth. But Charlton put in one of their best performances of the season to give the club hope.

But once again, that hope has faded following back-to-back defeats.

There was no desire or fight in the second-half as the Addicks trailed to Scunthorpe. Even a draw would’ve kept them in sixth place.

That has to change at Shrewsbury, and you have to think it will after Bowyer laid into his players on Saturday.

Ahmed Kashi’s return is a massive boost

Kashi was an unused substitute in the Scunthorpe defeat, but every Charlton fan would've been happy to see him back in the matchday squad.

He hasn't played since injuring his foot in the home reverse to Shrewsbury in February. And with Bowyer’s 4-4-2 diamond formation, he’s been unable to rotate Jake Forster-Caskey, Joe Aribo and Ben Reeves.

However, with Kashi fit again, it gives the caretaker boss one more option in midfield.

The attacking loanees failed to perform

Michal Zyro enjoyed a good goalscoring start under Bowyer, netting in two of his first three games.

Meanwhile Sullay Kaikai showed glimpses of quality against Bristol Rovers and AFC Wimbledon.

But both players struggled to hurt Scunthorpe and were substituted before the hour mark.

Time is running out for the pair to impress on a consistent basis.

Mark Marshall’s squad omission was harsh

Marshall has played just 28 minutes of football since Bowyer replaced Karl Robinson last month.

He was left out of the matchday squad on Saturday with Bowyer opting for Kashi as cover for Forster-Caskey, who has been struggling with a groin injury.

Harry Lennon and Ezri Konsa, two centre-halves, were on the bench, so could Marshall have taken one of their places to provide an extra attacking option?

The winger has always worked incredibly hard for the team and deserves another chance to show his true form in a Charlton shirt.

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