Charlton 2 Fulham 2

NEW Charlton manager Alan Pardew saw a first victory cruelly snatched from his grasp in second half stoppage time at The Valley on Wednesday.

With the Addicks deservedly clinging to a 2-1 lead, referee's assistant Steve Artis wrongly awarded Fulham a free-kick against defender Djimi Traore.

Subsequent television evidence cleared the left-back of handling the ball.

From the resulting free-kick, Michael Brown sent the ball deep into a packed goalmouth where Franck Queudrue rifled in a close-range equaliser.

Pardew, who received a thunderous ovation from Charlton supporters on his return to the club, said afterwards: "I feel so aggrieved because it was never a free-kick.

"Quite honestly, it was a decision that beggars belief.

"The players here have suffered a lot of blows this season and they had to take another tonight.But the character they gave in putting in a whole-hearted performance was highly commendable."

Charlton fell behind in the 13th minute after Brian McBride netted the rebound after Carlos Bocanegra's header had been tipped on to the bar by goalkeeper Scott Carson.

Midfielder Darren Ambrose equalised with his first goal of the season in the 19th minute after Fulham goalkeeper Antti Niemi had flapped at Talal El Karkouri's free-kick.

Leading-scorer Darren Bent scored his first goal since November 4 when he took advantage of slack defending by Bocanegra and Liam Rosenior to tuck the ball wide of Niemi.

Though Ambrose missed a 47th minute sitter, the goal looked good enough to win the game until Queudrue struck in the final of the four minutes added on for stoppages.

Attendance: 25,203.