By Georgia Garnett at The Valley
NATHAN JONES hailed Charlton Athletic’s “character” after Matty Godden’s penalty deep into stoppage-time rescued a 2-2 draw with Wrexham in front of the biggest Valley crowd in almost three years.
Conor Coventry’s own goal gave Wrexham an early lead before Macaulay Gillesphey equalised with a header to leave it 1-1 at half-time.
Andy Cannon scored a goal that looked like it would win the game for Wrexham until Godden converted from the spot in the 97th-minute to salvage a deserved point for the Addicks.
“We’ve played pretty much all the top teams [in League One] and we haven’t been beaten, so it shows we’ve got something, but we’ve just got to be a bit more consistent, a little bit more aggressive, a little more fluid in what we do,” Jones said.
“In spells, we were good, in spells we weren’t, but we showed a lot of character and kept going right to the end.
“It feels like a point gained today compared to Tuesday which was two points dropped.”
Charlton had to overcome an injury to Tennai Watson in the fourth minute, continuing a theme in their season that has seen eight major injuries.
Coventry’s own goal put the Addicks in a hole sixteen minutes in.
Charlton responded seven minutes later as Gillesphey looped a header in from Josh Edwards’ cross.
A rare referee substitution after an injury to Sam Purkiss meant contributed to ten minutes of added-time in the first half.
Luke Berry and Coventry had efforts towards the end of the opening period but neither was able to force the hosts in front.
The second half started with a shot from Tyreece Campbell in the 48th minute but Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo made the save.
Will Mannion made two quick saves on 50 minutes to deny Wrexham’s Ollie Rathbone.
Berry and Godden had two attempts on goal in quick succession minutes later.
Substitute Terry Taylor forced another save from Okonkwo in the 69th minute.
Cannon came on for Wrexham in the 70th minute and made an immediate impact, netting the visitors’ second goal of the afternoon just over a minute later.
Alex Mitchell and Miles Leaburn had missed chances to level before Max Cleworth was penalised for handball to give Charlton a penalty in the final moments of the game.
Godden slammed it down the middle as the Addicks drew a third straight game in League One.
Danny Hylton came on for his debut in the 81st minute – becoming the 1,000th player to represent Charlton.
Jones said: “I thought he came in and affected the football game.
“I thought any time they ran into him Wrexham couldn’t clear the ball because he used his body well.”
A Valley attendance of 24,792 was the biggest since 24,886 saw a 2-0 League One win over Cambridge United in December 2021.
Edwards said: “It was the fullest I’ve seen The Valley, it was a great experience to be able to play in.
“Hopefully we’ve managed to convince some of them to come back for our next match.”
Charlton are eleventh in the table with nineteen points from thirteen games.
The Addicks face Southend United in the FA Cup first round at Roots Hall this Saturday at 3pm.
