CHARLTON boss Phil Parkinson was left frustrated after his side dropped two points at League One leaders Brighton.

While it appeared things couldn’t have been better for the Addicks after ten minutes at the Withdean, a goal up from a Johnnie Jackson penalty and with a man advantage after Inigo Calderon’s red card, things didn’t go to plan from there.

Not only were two other cases for a home player to be dismissed, but the penalty decision saw key player Joe Anyinsah suffer a groin injury.

The table toppers then put forth a commendable effort to retain their usual stylish play with a man less on the pitch and equalised through Glenn Murray.

And while the Reds really should have offered more to get their noses back in front, Parkinson was sure to praise his side’s efforts away to promotion rivals.

He said following the game: “In the first half we’ve had a couple of good opportunities and we had some chances in the second half, and when you create that many you’re normally expected to take more than we did.

“But I can’t fault the lads tonight because it’s difficult against ten men as everybody knows.

“Brighton did a good job with ten men, you’ve got to give them credit for that, but when we passed it simply and switched the play we looked good.

“In the first half we did very well but in the second half we forced it at some points in our frustration.

“All in all I couldn’t have asked for more and we’ll take a point.”

Of the in-game incidents, Parkinson felt few went the Addicks’ way, and even in the case of the penalty they received inside three minutes, there was more bad news than good.

He added: “There were a few incidents, first of all the penalty – I felt he could have let the goal [Wagstaff scored after the initial foul] stand and when he doesn’t give the goal, he gives a penalty but he doesn’t send the lad off.

“Not only that but a player gets injured in the incident and I think when the ref looks at that he’ll agree with me.

“And then there was Calderon’s red card, we were on the wrong side of it so we couldn’t see it but everyone tells me that he went in two-footed but not dangerously.

“When you go in with two feet you’re always liable to get a red card, and although they felt aggrieved they could have been down to nine men because of the penalty.”