Saturday’s game at the Memorial Ground was one Charlton would have lost not so long back.

Played in a strong wind, with rain as well later in the game, conditions made good football all but impossible.

Games played in these conditions become a battle of attrition, with route one often being the most likely source of a goal.

But Charlton played their normal game and came desperately close to snatching all three points.

Both sides had goals disallowed for offside, but Lee Bowyer felt the decision to rule out Josh Cullen’s strike was harsh.

Replays confirmed that the decision was marginal. This is Bowyer’s summary of the game:

“If we can just keep this run going, we’ve lost one game this year, no matter what team you are, that is good going.

“If we can carry on that form, we’ll be fine.”

“With the wind and rain it was difficult. Because it’s an open ground I had a good idea that’d be the case before we came up.

“Difficult with how we like to play, and we knew it was just going to be a battle.

“It’s disappointing we didn’t win, on another day we could’ve won, but most important, we didn’t lose.,” said Bowyer before giving his thoughts on Cullen’s ruled out strike:

“He was onside, that’s how things are going for us, big decisions aren’t going our way.”

‎Cullen has been in sparkling form in the Addicks’ midfield. He can operate at the base of the diamond, or further forward.

He has consistently shown the kind of form that had West Ham fans questioning the decision to let him out on loan in the summer.

His performances have also impressed Ireland boss, Mick McCarthy. McCarthy witnessed the recent game with Burton at The Valley, and elevated C‎ullen to Ireland’s senior squad.

He will be involved in the European Championship qualifying games with Gibralter and Georgia this week.

The player explained how he heard about his good news:

“Lee Bowyer told me when I bumped into him in the boot room and he asked if I had heard the news.

“I said no and he told me, obviously, it was a nice surprise.

“I wasn’t expecting it, I was surprised by it but I have just tried to do my best for Charlton and play as well as I can and then you get the reward in the end, so I am really pleased.”

Bowyer was obviously delighted for his consistent midfield general and said this:

“He protects the back four so well, and when he wins it his distribution is very good.

“He blocks, reads, and then drives with it. He likes getting forward and in to the box.