Draw with 10 man Southend frustrates Bowyer

Charlton remain in 5th place in League One after a 1-1 draw with Southend United at The Valley this afternoon.

Ben Reeves' second-half equaliser rescued a point for Charlton Athletic at home to 10-man Southend United. The Shrimpers led courtesy of Stephen Humphrys' deflected 22nd-minute shot but were a man down five minutes later as Dru Yearwood was given his marching orders.

Reeves finally made them pay just before the hour with a headed equaliser but the Addicks were forced to settle for a share of the spoils by the resilient visitors.

Mark Marshall's angled drive drew a fine save from visiting keeper Nathan Bishop and Tariq Fosu blazed over after meeting Chris Solly's cross as the Addicks began brightly.

Michael Kightly saw a long-range effort go just over for the visitors and it was they who broke the deadlock midway through the first half. Humphrys unleashed a 25-yard shot which took a wicked deflection off Naby Sarr before flying past Dillon Phillips.

Southend were reduced to 10 men five minutes later when Yearwood went in late on Jonny Williams, prompting referee Simon Hooper to brandish a straight red card.

Sarr almost made amends for his error with an attempt from outside the box that flew inches over, while Krystian Bielik sent a looping header behind shortly before the break.

Reeves saw an early second-half shot go over the bar, while at the other end Sam Mantom fired just off target in a dangerous Southend counter attack. The Addicks finally made their numerical advantage count just before the hour when Marshall's delivery picked out Reeves, whose glancing header went in via the far post.

Bishop did well to tip behind Bielik's effort and came to the rescue again moments later by thwarting substitute Josh Parker from the resulting corner. Southend almost restored their lead in the 87th minute when substitute Michael Klass dragged an angled shot wide.

Klass forced another stop from Phillips as the Essex side went in search of an unlikely winner. But it was Charlton who almost sealed the three points in stoppage time as Reeco Hackett-Fairchild placed a header wide.

Lee Bowyer was left hugely frustrated after the draw with Southend. He singled out Tariqe Fosu and Mark Marshall for criticism, said their end product wasn't good enough today.

The report from Louis Mendez can be found here: Unable to find winner