Charlton Athletic took a well deserved point from top of the table West Brom on Saturday.
If Addicks hearts were broken when they conceded that stoppage time goal at Bristol on Wednesday, they were repaired when Josh Cullen smashed home a penalty in added on time to level things up.
It was the second time Lee Bowyer’s side had come from behind. Earlier, Macauley Bonne had cancelled out Matt Phillips’ early opener.
This was a game that had everything. Played on a wet and cold West Midlands afternoon, there were thrills and spills galore.
Charlton’s equaliser may have come desperately late, but this was no smash and grab raid.
Forced to name four youngsters without a league game between them on the bench, Bowyer’s team more than held their own as the stats testify.
The Addicks played with wing-backs and three central defenders behind their usual midfield diamond. Bonne was the lone striker.
Slaven Bilic adopted a 4-2-3-1 formation, and the clash of styles led to an open, entertaining game where both keepers had to be on their mettle.
Albion made a dream start when Phillips turned in Matheus Pereira’s inviting cross after 10 minutes.
Charlton came closest to restoring parity five minutes before the interval, when Sam Johnstone had to make a double save to foil Conor Gallagher and Naby Sarr.
But the Addicks did square things up on the hour mark. Cullen’s shot was blocked by Kyle Bartley, but the ball spun up, and Bonne was in the right place to head home the equaliser.
There was a bizarre incident midway through the second period. Matt Donohue showed Grady Diangana the red card for a late, reckless challenge on Chris Solly.
However the referee had punished the wrong man. It took several minutes to sort the situation out and Diangana was eventually recalled with Shane Ferguson correctly dismissed instead.
The hosts made light of their numerical disadvantage and substitute Hal Robson-Kanu curled in a wonderful goal nine minutes from time to regain the lead for the Baggies.
That was before Cullen struck with his dramatic late penalty. Former Valley apprentice, Semi Ajayi, was adjudged to have brought Sarr down in the box. The award may have been soft, but Charlton had more than earned their slice of good fortune.
Lee Bowyer’s was proud of his players in his post match thoughts
“Again, the players gave everything. I think tactically we got it right again. I think first half we were by far better than them.
“We created a lot of chances but again we didn’t take them – the same as Wednesday.
“If you look at the game overall, I think a point is probably fair but I’m disappointed that we haven’t had more because if you go by clear-cut chances we should have won the game in my eyes.”
The Addicks now have an eight day break before second placed Preston visit The Valley next Sunday.
Charlton: Phillips; Solly, Lockyer, Pearce (Davison 87), Sarr, Purrington; Pratley (Kayal 87), Cullen, Gallagher, Oztumer (Aneke 74); Bonne
Subs (not used): Maynard-Brewer, Oshilaja, Doughty, Dempsey
Goals: Bonne 60, Cullen 90 (pen).
West Bromwich Albion: Johnstone; Furlong, Ajayi, Bartley, Ferguson; Sawyers, Livermore, Phillips (Townsend 71), Pereira, Diangana (Brunt 88); Austin (Robson-Kanu 71).
Subs (not used): Bond, Krovinovic, Edwards, Hegazi.
Goals: Phillips 10, Robson-Kanu 81.
Referee: Matthew Donohue (Manchester)
Attendance: 25,356 (1,972 Charlton).