Charlton 2 Lincoln City 2
Macaulay Gillesphey and Greg Docherty found the net as Nathan Jones’ side came from two goals behind to draw with Lincoln City at The Valley.
The result brings to an end an eight-game winning streak in SE7, with the Addicks now unbeaten in 13 at home.
Charlton fell behind to a goal either side of half-time from veteran striker James Collins but after equalising with 15 minutes to go it looked there was only going to be one winner as the Addicks peppered the visitors’ goal but Jones’ side weren’t able to find the net again.
It was a good start from the home side who had the visitors under early pressure. Thierry Small saw his fourth-minute shot from just outside the area flash past the post.
Josh Edwards then forced opposition stopper George Wickens into action, as the goalkeeper parried away the defender’s powerful shot. Matty Godden was first to the rebound but saw his follow-up shot blocked behind for a corner.
It was from a set piece at the other end that Lincoln took an 18th-minute lead, Collins was first to a wonderful, whipped corner from Erik Ring. The striker, at the near post, flicked his header across goal and into the net.
Charlton looked to respond and Small came close to a Goal of the Season contender, the 20-year-old beat three defenders with some superb skill, before hitting his shot high over the crossbar.
Just before the break Ring struck an excellent volley from just outside the area and Will Mannion dived to his right to keep the ball out of his net.
Nathan Jones opted to use the first of his game changers at half-time with Chuks Aneke replacing Karoy Anderson.
Collins netted a second at the start of the second half with the striker getting on the end of a Ben House knockdown, he then chopped inside his defender to go through on goal, before calmly finding the bottom corner of the goal.
Jones immediately took action again bringing on Alex Mitchell and Kaheim Dixon and adjusting the team’s shape.
Aneke forced an excellent save from Wickens. The striker’s curled shot from outside the area looked destined for goal but Wickens managed to get a hand to it to palm the ball around the post.
Charlton pulled a goal back through Gillesphey. The visitors weren’t able to clear a low corner from the right, which eventually fell to Aneke. The striker’s shot fell to Gillesphey just inside the six-yard box, he took a touch to control the ball onto his left foot before finishing neatly.
The Addicks levelled with 15 minutes remaining. Lincoln only half-cleared a Josh Edwards’ long throw and the ball fell to Docherty, whose left-footed volley, just inside the penalty area, beat Wickens at his near post to find the bottom corner.
Charlton nearly took the lead minutes later, when another Edwards’ long throw fell to Godden and his clever flick went just wide of goal.
Wickens then made an incredible save to his left to keep out Godden’s header from a Conor Coventry cross from the right.
Aneke was next to come close, controlling well from a corner and putting his shot just wide of goal. A low Gillesphey free kick, was handled well from Wickens.
Despite the late pressure Charlton couldn’t find a winner. Results elsewhere saw the Addicks drop down a place to fifth in Sky Bet League One. Jones and his team now have a week without a game ahead of the trip to Cambridge United next Saturday.
Charlton: Mannion; Ramsay, McIntyre (Mitchell 52), Gillesphey; Small (Ahadme 90), Coventry, Berry (Dixon 52), Docherty (c) (Gilber 90), Edwards; Anderson (Aneke 46), Godden
Subs: Bouzanis, Watson
Goals: Gillesphey 57, Docherty 75
Assist: Aneke 57
Booked: Aneke 78 (foul on Jackson)
Lincoln City: Wickens, Darikwa, Jackson (c), Hamilton, Ring (Bayliss 63), McGrandles, House (Hackett 84), Hamer, Roughlan, Collins (Draper 84), Makama (Jefferies 25, Montsma 84)
Subs (not used): Jeacock, Gardner
Goals: Collins 18, 49
Assists: Ring 18, House 49
Booked: Wickens 72 (timewasting), McGrandles 90+2 (timewasting), Jackson 90+3 (foul on Aneke)
Referee: Leigh Doughty
Attendance: 15,611 (604 from Lincoln)
