Russell Slade: Cardiff City were 'mugged' says manager Slade

Defeat to Charlton was Cardiff City's seventh home league defeat of the season

Cardiff boss Russell Slade was frustrated after his side wasted a lead to slump to a 2-1 home defeat against Charlton.

Federico Macheda's second half goal was reward for some good Cardiff play.

But Charlton finished the stronger of the two sides, equalising through Tony Watt before Yoni Buyen's penalty capped the comeback.

"I do think we're getting better but I think it was a case of being mugged a little bit," Slade said.

"To be honest we dominated probably 75% of the game, so it is a little bit frustrating to say the least.

"We've just got to learn to manage the game for the entire 90 minutes.

"We got ourselves in a position where we were in front, dominated for long periods and should have put the three points to bed."

Charlton's use of the bench helped turn the game back the Londoners' way, with Chris Eagles setting up Watt for the equaliser after his introduction.

Then Eagles' fellow replacement Simon Church, the Wales striker, enticed Cardiff defender Sean Morrison into an ill-advised challenge inside the area to concede the decisive penalty.

"There were just little bits of play where we didn't get tight, didn't stop the cross," Slade admitted.

"For the first goal there were plenty of blue shirts in there but we've not locked onto a red shirt and cleared the danger.

Federico Macheda gave Cardiff the lead against Charlton Athletic

"For the second, the foul's not necessary. It's a penalty, no qualms about that and you can't do that, particularly when the player's got his back to play.

"He's going nowhere so Sean and the rest of us, we're all disappointed with that."

Cardiff midfielder Peter Whittingham left the pitch in the 68th minute to receive stitches in a cut lip.

He finished the game, but the minutes after his return saw Charlton up the pressure to equalise before they found their late winner.

However, Slade denied that Whittingham's injury had unsettled Cardiff unduly.

"Obviously we were desperate to get him back in play but in that period [when Whittingham was off the pitch] I don't think they created anything," Slade said.

"They possibly got a little bit more momentum because they had more of the ball than they would have if we were up to 11 men.

"You've still got to search for the positives and I do believe we're getting better, I just think we need to manage the games better.

"The same thing happened against Blackburn, frustratingly they've equalised in the last five minutes."

Cardiff now face two tough games against promotion-chasing sides.

First is a trip to Brentford on Saturday, 14 March, before Championship leaders Bournemouth come to Cardiff City Stadium on 17 March.

Slade confirmed that Scotland goalkeeper David Marshall, who missed the Charlton defeat with injury, could be back next Saturday.

Joe Mason and Anthony Pilkington could return within two to three weeks, while Scott Malone is expected to resume training later this week.