Chris Powell stuck with his favoured 4-4-2 formation and was rewarded with a hard earned point at Oakwell, though that seemed unlikely after an hour.

The two Chris’, Dagnall and O’Grady out muscled Michael Morrison and Dorian Dervite in the first half. Powell addressed the issue by bringing on Leon Cort for Dervite to steady the back line at half-time.

Dale Stephens was also replaced at half-time, having sustained a groin injury in the first period. Jordan Cousins came on for Stephens and changed the course of the game.

Gower, who had a poor first half, came into the game more and the Addicks wrested the initiative from Barnsley in midfield.

Yann Kermorgant was another who had a poor game. His first touch was lacking and the talismanic Frenchman looks to be carrying more weight this season. The bright spot in Kermorgant’s afternoon was a peach of a pass to release Simon Church for the equaliser.

The Tykes went ahead after 16 minutes when good work down the right by Chris Dagnall and Scott Goldbourne ended with the latter delivering a cross. Chris O’Grady smashed the ball in from close range despite Morrison’s despairing efforts to clear.

Nine minutes later it nearly got worse. Jacob Mellis cut in from the left and hit the post from a difficult angle. Hamer reacted sharply to foil Dagnall’s follow up.

The opening minutes of the second period got no better for the visitors and it was no surprise when Barnsley increased their advantage. Dagnall played Mellis in to deliver a cross for O’Grady to head home his second of the game at the far post.

Jordan Cousins, whose influence was increasing, halved the arrears after 64 minutes. Gower and Harriott combined on the left and Cousins hit the ball into the ground on the edge of the area. The ball looped up awkwardly and beat Luke Steele.

Just eight minutes later, against all the odds, Charlton were level. Kermorgant’s one telling moment of the afternoon was the through pass that freed Church. The Welshman sped towards goal, moved the ball to his right and slipped it under the advancing Steele.

Tom Kennedy was frantically back pedalling but the defender could only help the ball into the net.

The point will please Powell given his side’s position after 55 minutes, but their performance in the first hour will cause him concern.

Charlton: Hamer; Solly, Morrison, Dervite (Cort 46), Wiggins; Wilson, Stephens (Cousins 46), Gower, Harriott (Evina 77); Church, Kermorgant.

Subs (not used): Pope, Green, Sordell, Pigott.

Goals: Cousins 64, Church 72

Booked: Dervite 12 (foul).

Barnsley: Steele; O’Brien, Kennedy, M’Voto, Wiseman, Goldbourne; Perkins (Etuhu 33), Dawson, Mellis (Digby 67); Dagnall (Scotland 76), O’Grady.

Subs (not used): Alnwick, McNulty, Cofie, Cywka.

Goals: O’Grady 16, 55.

Booked: Wiseman 23 (foul).

Referee: Jeremy Simpson (Lancashire).

Attn: 9,554.