Russell Slade believes Cardiff were "mugged" after Yoni Buyens' late penalty snatched a 2-1 win for Charlton.
Cardiff looked to be in total control of this typical mid-table Sky Bet Championship clash after Federico Macheda struck in the second half.
But Tony Watt equalised before Sean Morrison clumsily bundled over Simon Church in the penalty area on 86 minutes to hand Buyens the chance to fire a winner.
Cardiff boss Slade said: "We dominated 75 per cent of that game so it is frustrating to say the least that we have lost. You could say we have been mugged.
"We dominated for long periods and should have put the three points to bed but we have to learn to manage the game for the whole 90 minutes.
"We didn't clear the danger or get tight enough at one cross and the second goal was totally unnecessary.
"There are no qualms about it being a penalty but it wasn't needed when their player has his back to goal and is going nowhere. Sean and the rest of us are disappointed with that.
"But we also have to look at the fact that we didn't create enough clear-cut chances to put opposition to bed."
Victory was Charlton's fifth in their last six games and another shot in the arm for boss Guy Luzon.
But the Addicks manager admits it took some harsh words at half-time to turn around their muted display in the first half.
He said: "We didn't play well in the first half and I told the players at half-time that something had to change.
"We were organised but that just wasn't enough if we wanted to take three points back to London.
"We had to change the tempo and move the ball and then we played a lot better.
"In my philosophy, there is no point playing long balls. If you keep the ball and move it, then you have a chance to score goals. That is the first rule of football.
"We also showed character when we were 1-0 down away from home to get the goal and then to continue playing after the goals."