Jonjo Shelvey celebrates his opening goal but the joy was shortlived. Picture: BARRY GOODWIN

Charlton 2 Cardiff 2

Charlton let slip a two-goal advantage for the second time in four days at The Valley on Tuesday night, having to settle for a 2-2 draw with play-off chasing Cardiff.

After the 2-2 home draw with Blackpool on Saturday condemned the Addicks to relegation to League 1, the crowd of more than 19,000 were hoping for Phil Parkinson’s side to at least finish the season on a high.

Jonjo Shelvey fired the unchanged home side ahead on 35 minutes with his second goal in as many games and Zheng Zhi went close to doubling the advantage when he struck the woodwork.

Nicky Bailey did eventually make it 2-0 with his 12th goal of the season from an 80th-minute corner but, just as Saturday, Charlton allowed their opponents to claw their way back into the game.

With eight minutes remaining, Cardiff substitute Chris Burke ran from his own half and, with no Charlton defenders offering up a tackle, slotted low past Rob Elliot.

With echoes of Blackpool’s late recovery still ringing round The Valley, the Bluebirds repeated the feat with Hungarian defender Gabor Gypes controlling and rifling home from a last-minute corner after a barrage of late pressure from the visitors.

The point extended the Addicks’ unbeaten run to six matches, but five of those have been draws.

Charlton: Elliot, Butterfield, Youga, Hudson, Ward, Sam (Spring 69mins), Racon, Zheng, Shelvey (Holland 83mins), Bailey; Burton (Kandol 60mins). Subs not used: Randolph, Wagstaff.

Attendance: 19,390.