Saints striker Marian Pahars was dealt a blow on the road to recovery from long-term injury last night.

The Latvian went off after 80 minutes when the Reserves lost out 1-0 to Charlton.

It was the first action since August for Pahars who has not played for the first-team in almost a year through ankle and groin problems.

He took a knock on the ankle and limped off ten minytes before the end but coach Steve Wigley hopes it is not serious.

He said: "I don't think it is a bad one but you never know with these things and we will have to wait and see how it settles.

"It was probably the right time for him to come off anyway but that made the decision for us."

Wigley was disappointed with what was only his side's second defeat of the season which came on the back of an impressive run of seven wins and a draw in their last eight games.

The home side took the lead after 16 minutes following a goalmouth scramble.

Lloyd Sam fed the overlapping Osei Sankofa and the young England man's cross ricocheted off the heel of Fitz Hall.

It looked bound for former Addicks striker Andy Hunt making a surprise come-back more than three years after quitting the game with post viral fatigue syndrome.

Instead it was half-cleared back to Sankofa and then to Alex Varney who was left in space to confidently volley the right-back's subsequent cross into the far corner for his second goal in successive games.

Saints almost produced an immediate response as Pahars put a great ball in for Leon Best whose header was straight at the keeper from seven yards.

It bounced back for Yoann Folly who blasted the loose ball wide from six yards.

Arron Davies missed a chance at the far post in the second half but neither side really tested the keeper.

Wigley added: "It was a game that could have gone either way but I would have liked us to work their keeper a bit more than we did.

"We did not perform quite as well as I would have liked but these things happen and hopefully we can bounce back at home to Pompey next week."

Next Tuesday's local derby at the Friends Provident St Mary's Stadium will be for home supporters only.

Admission is free to season ticket holders and members but no unaccompanied children will be allowed in and the club reserve the right of admission.

Saints Res: Blayney, Kenton, Cranie, Folly, Hall, Monk, Davies, Gillett, Best (Blackstock 45), Pahars (Gleeson 70), Surman. Subs: Green, Mills, Williams.