In many ways the game was a microcosm of the season. Some really good spells that ultimately ended with a frustrating result.

Charlton became the first of the trio of South London sides to confirm their status for next season. The Addicks faint play-off hopes were extinguished at a cold and windy Riverside, while Palace could still reach the Premier League via the play-offs and Millwall still have work to do to ensure their safety.

Andy Hughes and Johnnie Jackson have played pivotal parts in the recent good run but they both failed to recover from the injuries they sustained against Wolves. Mark Gower and Danny Hollands filled the vacancies in central midfield.

Charlton got off to the perfect start with barely 30 seconds on the clock. Yann Kermorgant released Ricardo Fuller down the left and the Jamaican striker drove in to present Bradley Pritchard with the simplest of chances to open the scoring.

Thoughts of Barnsley came drifting back when the Addicks doubled their advantage after 17 minutes. A floated Gower free-kick was played back in by Kermorgant and Boro skipper, Rhys Williams, turned the ball into his own net with Michael Morrison in close attendance.

Charlton enjoyed lengthy spells of dominance though Boro had a decent looking penalty appeal turned down.

Tony Mowbray shuffled his pack in the early minutes of the second period, introducing Scott McDonald and Emmanuel Ledesma. The substitutes played their part in turning the game on its head with McDonald being particularly influential.

The Australian striker had two on target strikes within five minutes of coming on. Fourteen minutes from time Marvin Emnes converted a Grant Leadbitter pass to halve the defecit. Emnes was withdrawn by Mowbray before the restart.

Fuller thought he had restored the visitors’ two goal margin when he touched home a Kermorgant cross from close range. Unfortunately, the had assistant raised his flag for offside, the decision looked harsh.

McDonald completed his one man rescue mission when he headed home a left-wing corner three minutes from time.

Both sides had chances to win the game at the death, with Charlton feeling particularly aggrieved when Obika was felled in the area but play was waved on.

In the end, it was a disappointing result. For long periods the Addicks had the game under control and will feel they should have been out of sight before Boro staged their comeback.

Charlton: Hamer; Solly, Morrison, Dervite, Wiggins; Pritchard, Gower, Hollands, Harriott (Kerkar 80); Kermorgant, Fuller (Obika 80).

Subs (not used): Button, Taylor, Wilson, Green, Haynes.

Goals: Pritchard 1, Williams (own goal) 17.

Middlesbrough: Steele; Hoyte, R Williams, Bikey, Halliday; Smallwood, Leadbitter, Emnes; Reach (Ledesma 54), Carayol, Main (McDonald 54).

Subs (not used): Leutwiler, L Williams, Burgess, Bailey, Haroun, Williams.

Goals: Emnes 76, McDonald 87.

Booked: Smallwood 78 (foul), Leadbitter 90 (foul).

Referee: Darren Drysdale (Lincolnshire).

Att: 15,011 (650 Charlton).