A dramatic finale at The Valley saw Charlton retake the lead two minutes from time, only for MK Dons to level for a second time, thanks to a controversial stoppage time penalty.
Ahmed Kashi was penalised for a challenge in the box. The referee - who was close to the incident – waved play on, but his assistant put his flag across his chest to signal a spot-kick.
Karl Robinson mentioned that two key players would miss the game at his press conference on Friday. Patrick Bauer and Billy Clarke were the players who were unavailable, and Tariqe Fosu was on the bench.
The Addicks got off to the best possible start when they took a sixth minute lead. A neat move down the right was cleared by MK Dons at the expense of a corner.
Ricky Holmes’ pinpoint flag-kick picked out Josh Magennis who headed home.
Charlton came desperately close to doubling their advantage after 24 minutes. A move involving Holmes and Magennis came to Jake Forster-Caskey. The midfielder’s deflected shot hit the inside of the post and was scrambled clear.
Forster-Caskey should have scored just past the half-hour mark, but his header from three yards out sailed over the bar.
Mark Marshall spurned a golden opportunity four minutes after the restart. Put clear by Magennis with just Lee Nicholls to beat, Marshall shot straight at the keeper.
The Addicks were to pay for their profligacy.
Robbie Neilson’s side came more into the game and they levelled after 63 minutes when substitute, Kieran Agard, headed home a left wing cross. There did appear to be a clear foul on Ben Reeves in the build up to the goal though.
The Dons should have taken the lead two minutes but Chuks Aneke blazed wide with only Ben Amos to beat.
Charlton began to press again, and both Chris Solly and Holmes put in dangerous looking crosses.
After 84 minutes Sarr found himself clear with just Nicholls to beat, but fluffed his lines.
The Addicks took the lead in bizarre fashion two minutes from time. Fosu stood the ball up at the far post, and Scott Golbourne’s attempted clearance flew into the top corner.
But just when Charlton looked like winning, they had victory snatched away from them in controversial circumstances.
Kashi was adjudged to have fouled an opponent in the area by the assistant referee. Andy Woolmer was much closer to he incident and saw nothing wrong.
Agard took full advantage from the spot.
Robinson will be both disappointed and frustrated this evening.
Charlton: Amos; Solly, Konsa, Sarr, Dasilva; Kashi, Forster-Caskey, Marshall (Ahearne-Grant, 87), Reeves (Fosu, 66), Holmes; Magennis
Subs (not used): Phillips, Jackson, Aribo, Dodoo, Dijksteel.
Goals: Magennis 6, Golbourne 88 (own goal).
Booked: Magennis 41 (tussle), Forster-Caskey 72, (foul), Sarr (86, foul on Aneke)
Milton Keynes: Nicholls; Williams, Ebanks-Landell, Wootton, Golbourne; Upson (McGrandles 62), Pawlett, Aneke, Gilbey, Ariyibi (Nesbitt 62); Seager (Agard 58).
Subs (not used): Sietsma, Brittain, Walsh, Thomas-Asante.
Goals: Agard 63, 90 (pen).
Booked: Upson (13, foul on Reeves), Williams (45+1, foul on Holmes), Ebanks-Landell (67, foul on Holmes), McGrandles (84), Aneke (90+3)
Referee: Andy Woolmer (Northamptonshire).
Attn: 10,577 (602 Milton Keynes).