Two Nicky Ajose strikes either side of a Kieron Morris goal, were enough to give Russell Slade his first away win as Charlton manager.
The win sent the Addicks up to fifth in the table, and was the first time they had achieved back-to-back wins since November.
Slade fielded an unchanged team for the third match in a row, but Ricky Holmes returned to the right, with Johnnie Jackson the furthest left of the midfield quartet. Brandon Hanlan replaced Lee Novak on the bench.
Jackson – who picked up a hamstring tweak on Tuesday- was taken off just before the hour mark.
Holmes indicated to the bench that he needed to come off late on, and there was a late cameo appearance by Patrick Bauer. It was the big German’s first appearance since December.
Declan Rudd appeared to pick a calf problem late on, and Slade will be pleased to have a week’s breather to rest his walking wounded.
Charlton looked the better side, but Walsall also had their chances. Rudd made a stunning double save to foil Simeon Jackson and Andreas Makris with the score still locked at 0-0, and the keeper had to react quickly to foil Jackson in stoppage time.
But Rudd also had some difficult moments. He nearly gifted Makris a goal in the first half when he spilled the ball, and he will feel he should have done bettere with the Saddlers’ goal.
The Addicks took the lead two minutes before the break. Holmes showed typical trickery, and pulled the ball back from the byline. Josh Magennis headed the ball back across goal, and Nicky Ajose was on hand to steer the ball in from close range.
Charlton were in control after the break, but were surprised when a speculative Morris shot from the edge of the box ended up in the back of the net.
Rudd appeared to have the ball covered but a late bounce caused him problems.
But it took the Addicks just two minutes to restore their lead. Neil Etheridge got a touch to Magennis’ cross from the right, but it fell invitingly for Ajose to tap in his second Charlton goal.
Rudd had to produce a super stop in added on time to foil Jackson, but the visitors saw the game out.
The medical team face a busy week to get the injured players available for the visit of table-topping Bolton next week.
Charlton: Rudd; Solly, Konsa, Pearce, Fox; Holmes (Holmes-Dennis 80), Foley, Crofts, Jackson (Lookman 58); Magennis, Ajose (Bauer 84).
Subs (not used): Phillips, Johnson, Botaka, Hanlan.
Booked: Solly 67 (foul).
Goals: Ajose 43, 74
Walsall: Etheridge; McCarthy, Preston, O’Connor, Edwards; Morris, Osbourne, Dobson (Oztumer 81), Moussa (Cuvelier 74); Jackson, Makris (Bakayoko 63).
Subs (not used): Macgillivray, Kinsella, Ginnelly, Robert.
Booked: O’Connor 68 (foul).
Goal: Morris 72.
Referee: Chris Sarginson (Staffordshire).
Attn: 4,586 (739 Charlton).
TAGS: Charlton Athletic