Charlton 1 Newcastle 1

KEVIN LISBIE’S second goal of the season enabled Charlton to stave off defeat and celebrate their centenary match with a hard-earned point in a thriller at The Valley on Sunday.

He struck in the 50th minute to equalise Craig Bellamy’s 41st-minute header for Newcastle and preserve the Addicks’ unbeaten home record.

Great games involve all the virtues, pragmatic defending, alongside swashbuckling attacking. There was not too much pragmatism on view while the goals were far from classics.

But the pulsating nature of the second half, which saw Charlton rejuvenated by Lisbie's goal moved the fans to the edge of their seats.

On the evidence of the first half, Newcastle looked set for maximum points with Jermaine Jenas, fresh from impressing for England, a lively and intelligent raider down the right.

Charlton, who had meandered through the opening exchanges, sparked to life in the 19th minute when Graham Stuart went close to marking his 500th appearance for the club with a goal, denied by a finger-tip save from Shay Given.

But they were stung in the 41st minute when Craig Bellamy rose unchallenged at the near post to head home Olivier Bernard's excellent cross. Alan Shearer was inches away from adding a second from another Bernard cross on the stroke of half-time.

Lisbie's equaliser inspired Charlton as they found fresh momentum. He kept his balance well to beat Given after the Newcastle defence had been caught square. Though Andy O'Brien helped the ball over the line, Lisbie would not be denied a second goal of the season.

There followed a cracking spectacle as both teams went for a win at an unrelenting pace.

Skipper Matt Holland's return provided an ideal foil for Danny Murphy as the two sought midfield supremacy.

Murphy showed his defensive qualities by clearing off the line in the 80th minute to keep out Shearer's header. Five minutes later, Shearer was at the other end chesting the ball off the line to deny Shaun Bartlett.

Dennis Rommedahl was inches away from opening his account for a Charlton with a shot that struck the bar. Seconds later, Holland was desperately unlucky not to crown his comeback with a shot that struck a post.