The Valley was awash with nostalgia on Saturday as Charlton celebrated the 20th anniversary of their return home.

Past and present directors, fans, employees, former players plus representatives of Brighton released balloons before kick-off to commemorate the event.

Chris Powell fielded his team in the formation favoured by many Premier League teams with two holding midfielders – Dale Stephens and Manny Frimpong – shielding the back four. Danny Haynes, Bradley Pritchard and Johnnie Jackson were further forward with Rob Hulse as the lone front man.

Leon Cort was dropped to the bench with Michael Morrison returning to partner Dorian Dervite in the middle of the defence. With Danny Seabourne ill, Chris Solly switched to the left with Lawrie Wilson coming in at right-back.

Brighton play neat, thoughtful football but are heavily dependent on the pace and predatory instincts of Craig Mackail-Smith for their cutting edge. The long haired striker gave Morrison a torrid afternoon.

The Addicks took the lead after nine minutes following a new corner kick routine. Stephens rolled the ball, Jackson stopped it and Stephens bent it in with pace towards the far post. Lawrie Wilson managed to get a glancing touch to help it on its way.

It was a route one ball that gave the Seagulls the opportunity to draw level. Morrison made a mess of a clearing header. Mackail-Smith pounced to thunder a shot past Ben Hamer’s left hand.

Good work on the left by Hulse and Jackson gave the skipper the opportunity to play Pritchard in. The midfielder squeezed the ball past Kuszczak to restore the hosts lead twenty minutes from time.

Two Brighton substitutes were instrumental in the Seagulls second equaliser five minutes later. Ashley Barnes’ turn on the edge of the box drew an ill timed challenge from Morrison. Kenenga LuaLua’s free-kick took a wicked deflection off the wall to nestle in the left-hand corner of Hamer’s goal.

Manny Frimpong hammered his fists into the turf in frustration as LuaLua embarked on his trademark double sommersault celebration.

Both sides had chances to snatch the win but a share of the spoils was probably the correct result.

Charlton: Hamer; Wilson, Dervite, Morrison, Solly; Haynes (Kermorgant 73), Stephens, Frimpong, Pritchard, Jackson (Kerkar 80); Hulse.

Subs (not used): Button, Taylor, Cort, Green, Wright-Phillips.

Goals: Wilson 9, Pritchard 70.

Booked: Wilson 67 (foul).

Brighton: Kuszczak; Saltor (Calderon 75), Greer, El-Habd, Bridge; Buckley, Bridcutt, Hammond, Hoskins (LuaLua 68); Mackail-Smith, Dobbie (Barnes 62).

Subs (not used): Brezovan, Crofts, Lopez, Harley.

Goals: Mackail-Smith 28, LuaLua 75.

Booked: Hammond 64 (foul).

Referee: Darren Sheldrake (Surrey).

Attn: 19,080 (3,385 Brighton).