CHARLTON were held to a 1-1 draw by Rochdale at The Valley this evening.

The visitors took a 53rd minute lead through Nicky Adams before Yann Kermorgant equalised three minutes later with a spectacular free-kick.

Chris Solly was ruled out through illness, so Rhoys Wiggins stepped in at right back to accommodate Cedric Evina at left back, his first start the 2-0 FA cup second round win over Carlisle on December 3.

Bradley Wright-Phillips returned to the starting XI to partner Kermorgant up front.

Wright-Phillips was unfortunate not connect with Bradley Pritchard’s inviting ninth game minute delivery when the striker’s overhead kick just missed the ball.

And Wright-Phillips was only inches away from finding the target three minutes later after he met Kermorgant’s flick on before dragging a stinging low drive just wide of Peter Kurucz’s far post.

In a mini spell of Rochdale pressure Gary Jones saw a shot deflected behind for a corner, while Michael Symes’ also saw a header take a final touch off a Charlton defender before landing on the roof of the net.

Evina broke into the box on 21 minutes and only a vital clearance prevented Wright-Phillips meeting his low pass, while Kevin Long threw his body in the way to block Wiggins’ powerful long range effort four minutes later.

Kevin Amankwaah hit the deck as he rose for the ball with Evina in the area, although there were no appeals for a penalty in fairness to the Rochdale players.

Adams’ 34th minute shot from 25 yards was never going to pose any serious questions for Charlton keeper Ben Hamer.

Wright-Phillips got on the end of Danny Green’s 37th minute cross from the left but his header was saved by Kurucz and Matt Taylor headed just wide from Green’s deep free-kick into the box five minutes later.

The second half started slowly but it suddenly livened up when Rochdale who got their noses in front on 53 minutes when a quick break saw Gary Jones send a low cross in from the right and Adams’ shot took a wicked deflection off Wiggins on its way to beating Hamer.

But the advantage was to prove a very short lived one as the Addicks were quickly back on terms three minutes later.

Long was penalised for a foul on Kermorgant 25 yards from goal and the Frenchman stepped up to smash the free-kick past Kurucz, who stood no chance as the ball flew past him.

Dale Stephens wasn’t a million miles away with a 62nd minute 30 yard shot before Chris Powell opted for his first change by taking off Green for Scott Wagstaff three minutes later.

Leon Clarke was next to enter the fray from the bench when he was introduced on 72 minutes for Wright-Phillips, who left the field to widespread applause.

Pritchard’s header two minutes later was caught by Kurucz and Charlton came even closer in the 78th minute as Kermorgant’s header from Pritchard’s cross was headed off the line by Amankwaah.

There was more panic in the visiting defence as Kermorgant’s initial shot was saved before Clarke tried to convert the follow up but his attempt was blocked and then Michael Morrison fired over.

The third and final change saw Evina come off in the 82nd minute for Leon Cort as Powell went all out for the win.

Wiggins got in a crucial block in to prevent substitute Joe Thompson’s effort testing Hamer as Rochdale again showed they were still a threat on the counter attack.

Pritchard placed an 89th minute shot just wide after Clarke laid the ball invitingly into his path with what was to be the final chance of the game.

A point gained or two dropped?

Time only will tell but the fact is Charlton are now a point closer to the Championship, now 12 clear of Sheffield Wednesday in third place.

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