Lynden Gooch’s injury-time winner broke Charlton hearts as the Addicks lost 2-1 to Sunderland on the opening day of the season.

Lyle Taylor’s penalty was cancelled out by Josh Maja before Gooch’s header beat Dillon Phillips.

Lee Bowyer could only name five substitutes on the Charlton bench, which further highlighted the need for more signings. But competitive debuts were handed to Taylor and Darren Pratley.

Jake Forster-Caskey’s season-ending knee injury saw academy graduate George Lapslie make his first league start.

Charlton started brightly earning two free-kicks in dangerous positions, however, both failed to trouble Sunderland goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin.

The strike pairing of Taylor and Karlan Grant caused Sunderland’s defence problems throughout the contest - and it was the latter who won the Addicks a 10th-minute penalty.

Grant did well to turn Glenn Loovens and advance into the box where he was taken down by Chris Maguire. Taylor stepped up to score his first goal in Charlton colours.

The striker ran to the bench to pay tribute to Forster-Caskey by holding up an “F-Caskey #8” shirt.

Charlton then spurned numerous opportunities to double their advantage before the break with Pratley, Joe Aribo and Lapslie going close.

Sunderland looked threatening as the half drew to a close with Phillips saving Maja’s close-range effort.

Charlton continued to attack following the restart. Solly’s cross found Aribo, whose looping header almost caught out McLaughlin.

Sunderland’s equaliser came in the 65th minute when Maja’s shot beat Phillips at his near post - he should’ve saved it.

But the goalkeeper redeemed himself as Sunderland piled on the pressure in the latter stages of the game. Phillips stretched to his left to keep Maguire’s free-kick out.

And Charlton rode their luck again when Jerome Sinclair somehow failed to turn in Bryan Ovideo’s cross.

But that luck ran out in injury-time as Gooch’s header won it for Sunderland.

Charlton huffed and puffed but one thing is clear… more bodies are needed.

Charlton XI: Phillips, Solly, Bauer, Pearce (Sarr 90), Page, Marshall, Pratley, Aribo, Lapslie, Grant, Taylor:

Subs not used: Maynard-Brewer, Maloney, Ajose, Hackett-Fairchild.