Darren randolph (above) had a day to forget at The Valley
Charlton 1-1 Southampton
CHARLTON'S hopes of reaching the play-offs suffered a major setback when they were held to a draw by Southampton at The Valley.
Southampton took the lead on 10 minutes in bizarre circumstances.
Darren Randolph, who was in goal in place of the suspended Nicky Weaver, should have dealt comfortably with a chip from Stern John.
However, a mix up between Randolph and Paddy McCarthy saw the goalkeeper drop the ball on McCarthy's head and it trickled over the line.
Leroy Lita was unfortunate to see his shot from 25 yards just sail over the bar midway through the first half after he connected with a good long range pass from Greg Halford.
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Failed to find target
The on loan Reading striker and Halford came together again on the half hour mark, but Lita's header from Halford's cross failed to find the target.
Manager Alan Pardew signalled his intent at the start of the second half by introducing Darren Ambrose and Andy Gray for Jose Semedo and Chris Iwelumo.
Lita had an appeal for a penalty 10 minutes after the restart after going down under a challenge from Jermaine Wright, but the referee did not want to know.
Charlton almost drew level on the hour when Lita, with his back to goal, played the ball into the path of Gray and the striker unleashed a shot from the edge of the area which just went over the bar.
Saints keeper Richard Wright failed to deal with Zheng Zhi's deflected 64th minute cross but Lita headed the rebound over.
Deserved equaliser
Charlton finally got a deserved equaliser on 69 minutes.
Lee Cook's free-kick from the left was met by the head of Gray and he powered his effort past Wright for his first goal for the Addicks since his £1.5m move from Burnley in January.
It should have been 2-1 to Charlton four minutes later when Madjid Bougherra knocked the ball down into the path of Ambrose, but his shot from eight yards out produced an excellent reaction save from Wright.
Chris Lucketti almost restored Saints' advantage in the 75th minute but his header from Mario Licka's free-kick went wide.
Charlton were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position 20 yards out on 85 minutes.
However, Cook's attempt failed to trouble Wright.
Substitute Jerome Thomas could have won it at the death after Lita flicked the ball on for him but the substitute blasted his shot over the bar.
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