Johnnie Jackson’s absence from the team has left Charlton lacking in leadership this season. Heads have dropped when things have gone against them, particularly in recent away games.

Jackson was to demonstrate just how profound his influence can be.

Guy Luzon made four changes to the team that lost at Cardiff last week. Alou Diarra returned from suspension to replace Naby Sarr, who dropped to the bench.

Johann Berg Gudmundsson went back to the right flank, Mikhail Kennedy also reverted to the bench.

Ahmed Kashi has been carrying an ankle knock recently. Luzon opted to rest him and bring El-Hadji Ba in.

Everton loanee, Conor McAleny, replaced Zakaraya Bergdich on the left of midfield, and Karlan Ahearne-Grant was rewarded with a start after scoring at Cardiff.

The game was played in bright sunshine, and though there was late drama, there could have been an explosive opening.

Gudmundsson released McAleny, who had a one-on-one chance to beat Andy Lonergan. Unfortunately, McAleny pulled his shot wide of the near post when he should have done better.

There were chances at either end, and Pope had to make a flying save to his right to foil Jazz Richards.

Pope was perhaps fortunate to get away with a fumble just before the half-hour mark, but Lady Luck was less kind to the Addicks custodian five minutes later.

A Ross McCormack free-kick from 25-yards somehow got through the ball and bounced in front of Pope. The keeper could not hold on to the shot. Ryan Tunnicliffe was the quickest to react and had the simple task of prodding Fulham ahead.

Charlton came close to restoring parity six minutes before the break. Tony Watt produced some trickery on the left, but Ahearne-Grant just failed to get on the end of the Scot’s cross.

A mistake by McAleny gave Fulham the chance to extend their lead at the start of the second period, but Pope came to the rescue. This was the cue for the fans to chant for Jackson’s introduction.

The chants increased when McCormack doubled the visitors’ advantage fourteen minutes after the restart. The Fulham captain received the ball on the left hand side of the box, and fired across Pope and into the far corner.

The goal deflated the hosts, and it was going to take something special to rescue the game. Jackson’s introduction ten minutes from time had an immediate effect.

Waiting on the sidelines for nearly three minutes before the ball went dead, the skipper went forward as Gudmundsson waited to take a corner from the left.

As the ball came across, Jackson rose majestically to thunder a header in off the underside of the bar.

The skipper was back and directing operations from the middle of the field. The fourth official indicated that there would be an additional four minutes, but this was extended due to a clash of heads in the Fulham area. Patrick Bauer needed to have his head bandaged.

Six minutes after the scheduled end, Gudmundsson sent Ahearne-Grant scampering to the byline. The youngster produced a peach of a cross for Jordan Cousins to head home and earn the Addicks an unlikely point.

There was still time for Gudmundsson to fashion a chance for Watt to snatch a win, but Richard Stearman done enough to foil him.

So Charlton head off into the international break with their spirits high……and Luzon with a decision to make in central midfield.

Charlton: Pope; Solly, Diarra, Bauer, Fox (Bergdich 65); Gudmundsson, Cousins, Ba (Jackson 80), McAleny (Moussa 71); Watt, Ahearne-Grant.

Subs (not used): Mitov, Sarr, Holmes-Dennis, Kennedy.

Goals: Jackson 81, Cousins 90.

Booked: Gudmundsson 64 (foul).

Fulham: Lonergan; Richards, Stearman, Ream, Husband: Christensen, O’Hara (Matilla 90), Tunicliffe, Pringle (Garbutt 60);Dembele (Woodrow 75), McCormack.

Subs (not used): Lewis, Fredericks, Kacaniklic, Burn.

Goals: Tunicliffe 32, McCormack 59.

Booked: Christensen 51 (foul).

Referee: James Linington (Isle Of Wight).

Attn: 14,662 (1,283 Fulham).