Charlton Athletic 1 Cardiff City 1

After a 1st half where the Addicks showed all the Boxing Day spirit of an empty stocking, the 2nd they shimmered like a star on top of the tree.

Sadly once again we very slow out of the blocks and 0-1 down before we’d even broken sweat. Bob had changed it, and left out youngsters Pope and Fox, hopefully with some good man-management skills, but it was hard to argue against the change.

Gomez played left back, Johnnie Jackson returned from injury to take his place in central midfield and it was George’s turn to start up top as Igor began on the bench. No place for the perennial bench warmers Wilson or Bulot.

There were nothing appealing about the 1st half performance from the Addicks and there was common agreement that Harriott should have no qualms about being shown a straight red for a careless tackle on Noone.

With no changes at half-time it was difficult to see where any goal was going to come from but Țucudean was making a good impression and hit the post, before Bob changed it to 3-4-2 with Onyewu joining Bikey and TBH at the back and Solly pushing into midfield and Igor joining George up front.

Then the 10-men got The Valley rocking with a great display of attacking intent and courage, helped I suspect by Cardiff’s preference to sit back and hold their lead, Charlton style!

The woodwork was dented, and there was scrambling defenders clearing shots off the line, and the ref was having a ‘mare, as I stomped around the kitchen in between my turn at Connect 4!

Then when it seemed we would face our 2nd home defeat of the season, JBG hammered home an absolute peach as The Valley erupted.

I was almost then annoyed that we were going to draw another game, but Igor was through, he had to score, the one man you’d want with your last minute one-on-one, but nope, he blew it, another draw, 11 more needed for the record.

If only we could play like that for a whole game.

Addick Bloggers at The Valley: Drinking During the Game; Hungry Ted; Chris Powell’s Flat Cap; Blackheath Addick; Charlton Casualty;

Around the The Championship: Ipswich are now unbeaten in 10 winning 4-2 at Brentford. Bournemouth stayed top after beating Fulham 2-0, Derby 3rd after a big 4-0 win at Birmingham and Middlesbrough beat Forest 3-0. Millwall were stuffed by Norwich 6-1 at Carrow Road and Wigan won at Leeds. Rotherham, 0-2 down with minutes remaining at home to Huddersfield pulled a draw out of the bag and Sheffield Wednesday were 1-0 winners over bottom Blackpool.