A hard fought game that had 0-0 written all over it from an early stage. The Addicks reversed the recent trend of spending the second period on the back foot and were the stronger team after the interval.

Frederic Bulot replaced Franck Moussa upfront and their was a first bench appearance for prodigious young striker, Karlan Ahearne-Grant. Dillon Phillips, Joe Gomez and Callum Harriott were the three from the match day squad of 21 not to be involved. Simon Church was not in the 21 despite being fit.

The teams largely cancelled each other out in a first half that was largely devoid of goalmouth action. There was a blow for the home side at the end of the half when Johann Gudmunsson had to be helped off after treading on the ball and twisting an ankle.

Most of the action happened in the last fifteen minutes of the match. Andre Bikey appeared to elbow Patrick Bamford but the incident was not spotted by the officials.

Twelve minutes from time, Bulot came desperately close to winning the game for Charlton, when he volleyed a good cross from Rhoys Wiggins against the inside of the post with Dimi Konstantopoulos beaten.

Five minutes later Middlesbrough were reduced to ten men when Albert Adomah received a second yellow card for a high challenge on Wiggins.

The Addicks twice came close to snatching all three points at the death. First, Bikey and Vetokele played Lawrie Wilson in on the right. Wilson’s drive was saved by Konstantopoulos’ foot at the expense of a corner.

Wilson took the flag-kick and Wiggins got a shot away that was cleared off the line.

So Bob Peeters’ team failed to score in the league for the first time this season. It was Charlton’s sixth draw of the season and their third in a row.

Charlton: Henderson; Solly, Ben Haim, Bikey, Wiggins; Gudmundsson (Moussa 46), Buyens, Jackson, Cousins (Tucudean 69); Bulot (Wilson 84), Vetokele.

Subs (not used): Pope, Fox, Morrison, Ahearne-Grant.

Booked: Ben Haim 39 (foul), Solly 74 (foul).

Middlesbrough: Dimi; Nsue, Omeruo (Gibson 71), Ayala, Friend; Adomah, Clayton, Tomlin (Wildschut 87), Reach; Bamford, Kike (Leadbitter 76).

Subs (not used): Blackman, Fredericks, Ledesma, Husband.

Booked: Adomah 74 (foul).

Sent off: Adomah 82 (foul, second yellow card).

Referee: Gavin Ward (Surrey).

Attn: 16,110 (1,967 Middlesbrough).