Karlan Grant and Nicky Ajose helped fire Charlton back into the League One top six and stun 10-man Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

Lyle Taylor laid on the assist for the first goal when Grant poked home his driven cross before the striker’s header enabled substitute Ajose to grab the second.

Portsmouth improved after a poor first half, and set up a nervy finish when Andre Green pulled one back but were reduced to 10 with Ben Thompson’s red card in added time.

Charlton, who have ended Pompey’s eight-match win streak, move into fifth place and two points behind Peterborough United.

READ: Player ratings from Charlton's win over 10-man Portsmouth

Lee Bowyer made three changes for the trip to Hampshire, handing Naby Sarr and George Lapslie starts for the big midweek clash.

The visitors came under duress as Portsmouth largely dominated the opening exchanges but they would draw first blood.

Joe Aribo battled to find Taylor, stationed on the right wing, before the striker fired a ball into the box Grant would meet for his 11th league goal this season on 22 minutes.

His night would be cut short through injury, though, as Thompson went close with a header in the hosts’ search for the equaliser.

But things would go from bad to worse for the league’s pacesetters.

After Portsmouth thought the ball went out of play, Lapslie launched a delivery into the box that Taylor flicked on for Ajose to stab home on 43 minutes.

It was his first league goal this season and second against the same opposition in two outings against them.

Portsmouth fought to claw their way back into the match and ultimately should have scored on multiple occasions - particularly through Jamal Lowe.

A double goal-line clearance from goalkeeper Jed Steer and Lapslie somehow denied the hosts before Jason Pearce’s tussle with Lowe in the box sparked penalty appeals.

After a flurry of scoring chances, Green played the role of super-sub to score on 88 minutes following Portsmouth captain Gareth Evans’ cutback cross.

With six minutes added on, it was last chance saloon for the league leaders, and they came close to grabbing the equaliser, but those opportunities soon slipped away.

A full-blooded challenge with Taylor saw Thomspon, who was booked five minutes before, sent off with his second yellow card.