CHARLTON manager Alan Curbishley confessed his side had been subdued at half-time before recovering in the second half to force a 1-1 draw with Newcastle in Sunday's televised thriller at The Valley.

He explained: "We came in at half time subdued because their goal was a blow as it had been scored with a header by by the smallest player on the park.

"We told the players that they were more than capable of getting back into the game, which they did. So I was delighted because we were facing one of the top teams in the Premier League who are on a roll right now.

"The club has taken quite a bit of criticism in most quarters because of our performances. Against Newcastle we set about turning that around. There was a hell of a scrap in midfield for supremacy and Danny Murphy showed what a good player he is. He looked a lot sharper and lot fitter out there. Had our final ball been better on the break, we could have won.

"When the weather changed with the heavy rain, the game opened up and we had our chances - but so did they. A draw was probably a fair result as if anyone had lost it would have been desperately unfair."

Newcastle manager Graeme Souness, who has breathed new life into Newcastle since taking charge a month ago, added: "We're pleased with a point because Charlton is one of the toughest grounds to get anything from in the Premier League."

Newcastle, unbeaten in six and averaging two goals every league game, took the lead when Craig Bellamy met Olivier Bernard's cross at the near post to head home in the 41st minute.

Charlton, who were looking to maintain their unbeaten home record in their centenary fixture, equalised in the 50th minute through Kevin Lisbie after a swift counter-attack had caught Newcastle napping.