Charlton make their point

A last gasp equaliser by Patrick Bauer gave Charlton a point in a 1-1 draw against Sheffield United at The Valley this afternoon. Kevin Nugent bows out as caretaker manager with an unbeaten record, Karl Robinson having watched the match from the stand.

Coming to the ground I saw a cavalcade of taxis headed by the 'Taxi for Roland'. The start of the game was delayed after stress balls and plastic taxis were thrown on the pitch.

We managed to just about match the Blades in the first third of the match without creating anything much. Magennis was inches away from tapping in a Johnnie Jackson cross after six minutes and then a goal by Magennis correctly ruled offside. Crofts, whose game is improving, got in the way of a close range strike from O'Connell on 19 minutes.

Then a rather dubious free kick led to a well-worked routine by the visitors which caught us with a sucker punch, Duffy scoring. Ajose put an effort on to the roof of the net on 38 minutes.

After the break the visitors pressed for the decisive second goal but we managed to stand firm, although they were pressing us hard and had more tempo to their game. Fouls off the ball on Lookman, whom the Blades clearly saw as the danger man, were ignored by the referee. Lookman forced Moore into a save on 73 minutes.

Then Bauer scored from a Adam Chicksen's free kick to make things level and Charlton had a last minute effort to score a second.

Phillips had an excellent game in goal. Sharp's overhead kick was easily dealt with by Phillips early in the second period and moments later the home stopper was at full stretch to tip behind Fleck's long-range drive. Phillips came to the rescue once again for Charlton with a top class save to somehow deny Duffy and was on hand to prevent substitute Caolan Lavery heading home 10 minutes from time.

Charlton stay in 11th place. They are 7th in the form table.

I have to say that I was amused to hear all the Palace fans on 606 saying that Pardew has 'got to go'.

Football League Paper player ratings

Phillips, 8; Foley, 6; Bauer, 5; Pearce, 7; Fox, 6; Crofts, 5 (Botaka 81, 5); Ulvestad, 5; Lookman, 6; Jackson, 6 (Chicksen, 52, 6); Magennis, 6; Ajose, 5 (Novak, 63, 5).

Sheffield United had six shots on target to Charlton's two and 11 corners to two for Charlton.