MICHAEL Appleton's Blackburn Rovers reign has started in defeat after seeing his side's four match unbeaten run ended by a miserable 2-1 home defeat to Charlton.

Watched by owners Venky's, until they left on 65 minutes, Rovers struggled to break down their visitors as Charlton secured a deserved victory.

Jordan Rhodes cancelled out Dale Stephens' first half opener but Yann Kermorgant's second half header was enough to seal maximum points for the Addicks.

Rovers started slowly and, bar a driving run from Ruben Rochina, struggled to hurt Charlton's defence.

The visitors were passing the ball around well and took a deserved lead on 26 minutes after a good run from Chris Solly.

Solly raced past Colin Kazim-Richards on the right and, after his low cross was half cleared, Dale Stephens was on hand to brilliantly fire the loose ball into the top corner.

Rovers fans had little to shout about in the opening 45 minutes with Kazim Richards' header straight at goalkeeper Ben Hamer the closest they came.

Rovers were level just three minutes after the restart. Kazim-Richards' whipped cross was brilliantly glanced home by the diving Jordan Rhodes.

The visitors should have been ahead again just a minute later though, with Stephens lashing wide of an empty net from eight yards.

Ruben Rochina saw a low shot hacked clear just past the hour mark, with Kazim-Richards having a shot tipped wide minutes later.

Charlton were ahead on 64 though as Yann Kermorgant rose unmarked to head home Cedric Evina's right wing cross.