Plenty of early festive spirit at Huish Park ahead of kick-off. Chris Solly’s return to the bench gave all connected with Charlton a boost.

Jim Davidson mingled with supporters on the terraces and in the seats, a fan had brought a stack of mince pies to hand out.

Michael Slater was in attendance too and was said to have joined the management team at the Hollies on Friday evening.

Johnnie Jackson was restored to the team at the expense of Cedric Evina – who dropped to the bench – in an otherwise unchanged team fromTuesday.

Ben Hamer, Joe Pigott, Bradley Pritchard and Callum Harriott also travelled.

For a spell it looked like the Addicks would have an early Christmas present after establishing a two goal first half lead. But Yeovil thwarted their visitors in the last quarter of the game….and there was a nasty sting to follow.

Charlton started brightly but it was the Glovers who got the first shots in, but it was Charlton who got the first  decisive strike. Ben Alnwick gathered the ball, quickly released Cameron Stewart, who ran the length of the pitch, before unleashing an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box.

The Addicks were in dreamland in the last minute of the half when Jackson called for Simon Church to leave Stewart’s peach of a cross from the left. The skipper had the simplest of headers to double the visitors lead.

Charlton could have been out of sight by the three-quarter mark.  Jackson and Jordan Cousins had efforts saved and Chris Dunn then produced an unbelievable save to foil an overhead effort from Stephens.

The Addicks were to pay a heavy price. Michael Morrison deflected a shot past Alnwick to halve the defecit, then Andy Hughes – on for the injured – Cousins,  brought Ishmael Miller down and the striker got up to level from the spot.

Worse was to follow when Jackson was sent off for a lunge on the halfway line.

Chris Powell opted to hold on to what he had and introduced Chris Solly and Richard Wood as late substitutes.

Ultimately it was a disappointing afternoon for Charlton. They got a point but it could – and should – have been so much more.

Jackson will miss the Derby, Bolton and Brighton games, while Powell will be keeping his fingers crossed that Cousins’ injury is not serious.

Charlton: Alnwick, Wilson,  Morrison, Dervite, Wiggins; Stewart, Jackson, Cousins (Hughes 69), Stephens; Kermorgant, Church.

Subs (not used): Pope, Evina, Solly, Green, Wood, Sordell.

Booked: Wilson 17 (foul), Kermorgant 71 (foul), Alnwick 75 (dissent).

Sent off: Jackson 78 (lunge).

Goals: Stewart 37, Jackson 45.

Yeovil Town: Dunn; Ayling, Webster, Davis (McAllister 59), Duffy; Edwards, Upson, Lundstram (Dawson 45), Grant; Miller, Morgan (Hayter 45).

Subs (not used): Stewart, Foley, Ralls, Hoskins.

Booked: Duffy 6 (foul), Webster 60 (foul ), Ayling 69 (foul).

Goals: Morrison 72 (og), Miller 76 (pen).

Attn: 6,053 (836 Charlton)

Referee:  Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire).