Charlton slipped closer towards the relegation zone after suffering defeat at the hands of fellow strugglers Stoke City.

James McClean and Tom Ince scored either side of a Ben Purrington equaliser before Nick Powell added a third later on in the second half.

The Addicks' defeat saw them drop to 21st in the Championship table, behind Stoke, while Huddersfield Town's victory boosted them into 19th.

Here are five things we learned

Costly mistakes

Although Stoke largely controlled the game, their first two goals arrived as a result of costly mistakes in the build-up.

For the first goal, Adam Matthews appeared to inexplicably leave his man McClean for the free-kick which left him open for a tap-in at the far post.

On the second, Matthews played Tom Ince onside as the rest of the defence pushed up to press Joe Allen. Their appeals for offside fell on deaf ears.

READ: We will 'surprise' teams in fight for survival, insists Bowyer

A sense of déjà vu

The Ince strike had a distinct feeling of familiarity about it, as it was yet another goal Charlton had conceded within the first 15 minutes of half-time.

Just they had entered the half-time break level, that parity all but disappeared when Ince slotted the ball past Dillon Phillips from Joe Allen's well-timed through ball.

It was the sixth goal they have let in during the same period of time across their previous 12 league games. Appears to be happening with some regularity.

How did David Davis do on his debut?

In case you did not see our player ratings, we said newcomer Davis' first full start for Charlton was all right.

He was industrious and combative in a three-man midfield alongside the deeper-lying Josh Cullen and anchoring midfielder Darren Pratley.

Davis needs to get up to speed, which is obvious, but he did not look out of place. His energy and athleticism could be a welcome addition.

READ: How Charlton's players fared in the defeat to Stoke - player ratings

New signings bring an added dimension to Charlton

Bowyer very much favours his 4-4-2 diamond or 5-3-2 systems, but the arrivals of Aiden McGeady and Andre Green mean he can be a little more flexible.

We saw that at Stoke when he opted for a 4-3-3, flanking Green and Jonny Williams either side of Lyle Taylor who operated as the lone frontman.

And with Davis another midfield body who can break up attacks to help free those in front of him, he has the potential to be a key link.

Away day blues must end

Charlton's defeat at Stoke, and Derby's dramatic win away to Swansea, means the Addicks have now failed to win away from home in 12 league games. That is the worst in division at the moment.

Their next five away trips are: Nottingham Forest, Sheffield Wednesday, Huddersfield, Hull and Cardiff.

The current circumstances suggest that all away trips must come with the expectation of three points, regardless of the opponent. Wigan won't lose forever and that gap will eventually shrink if wins are not picked up.