Saints were held by table toppers Charlton at the Valley as an early second half equaliser denied Alan Pardew all three points on his first return to his former club.

Charlton: Elliot, Richardson, Youga, Dailly, Bailey, Llera, Semedo, Shelvey, Racon, Burton, Sam (Wagstaff 86). Subs (not used): Randolph, Basey, McLeod, Sodge, Solly, Tuna.

Saints: Davis, Harding, Thomas, Perry (Jaidi 77), Trotman, Hammond, Schneiderlin, Mills (Mellis 77), James, Lallana (N'diaye 90), Lambert. Subs (not used): Bialkowski, Saganowski, Holmes, Paterson.

Referee: Mr. K. Wright

Attendance: 19,441

On a warm day in South East London it was the hosts who got things underway at the Valley with Saints in their new blue and yellow away strip.

Alan Pardew set up his side with Rickie Lambert leading the line, ably supported by Adam Lallana and Joseph Mills on either flank.

The visitors had the best early chance of the match too. A third minute free-kick was landed on the head of Neal Trotman and the Preston loanee flicked the ball on to Morgan Schneiderlin, who was able to pick out Joseph Mills on the far side. The youngster stayed on side but was denied from close range by the outstretched hands of Addicks 'keeper Rob Elliot.

Lloyd Sam was keen to show everyone why he was voted as League One's Player of the Month for August as he made a number of in roads towards the Saints back line and he created Jonjo Shelvey's first sight of goal.

However, the Addicks frontman cleared the Jimmy Seed Stand housing the Saints supporters behind Davis' net.

A 12th minute ball in from the right was cushioned back by the head of Mills into the path of Schneiderlin, but the midfielder's shot was kept out by Elliot.

Charlton defender Miguel Llera complete with protective head gear, struck a fierce free-kick which came off the back of Trotman as the hosts came into life, shortly afterwards, Kelly Youga fired over from a corner on the left.

In the 25th minute however, Saints were back on the offensive with Schneiderlin, Mills and Lambert all combining. It led to a few nervous moments for the hosts inside their own area, but the visitors couldn't get a clear sight of goal with Lambert's effort going closest as he met Mills' cross on the volley.

Wayne Thomas tried his luck from distance and shortly after the half hour mark Lallana did the same but his scuffed shot went wide of Elliot's left post.

Addicks' captain Nicky Bailey carried a threat on the left and shot over on 33, but it wasn't long before the action swung up the other end of the field, as Lloyd James collected the ball in midfield before lashing a shot towards the bottom corner which needed to pushed out for a corner by Elliot.

The resulting set piece was taken by Mills but headed over by Hammond as the visitors continued to press.

Inside the last five minutes of the half midfielder Therry Racon hooked a dangerous looking shot towards goal from Deon Burton's knock down, but Davis was there to collect the ball without any problems.

From the next attack Saints produced the opening goal of the game on 41 minutes. Wayne Thomas picked out Lallana inside the Addicks' area and the England Under-21 midfielder flicked the ball into the far corner with an audacious finish.

Charlton added some late pressure at the end of the half but Saints went into the break with their lead intact.

Half Time: Charlton 0-1 Saints

Saints kicked off the second half towards the traveling support and won two early corners from Lambert and Lallana's endeavor but neither set piece yielded any chances.

On 49 minutes the hosts were back on level terms as Shelvey's cross was headed home by Deon Burton who collided with 'keeper Kelvin Davis the process as the ball entered the net.

Five minutes later Bailey acrobatically connected to Shelvey's corner but the ball flew into the second tier behind Davis' goal.

Racon collected the game's first booking on 55 as he slid in on Mills which left the left sided player requiring treatment, but the 19 year-old was soon back on his feet and into the action.

Frazer Richardson followed his colleague into referee Kevin Wright's notebook shortly afterwards for a late challenge on the same player.

The hosts had the ball in the net on 62 minutes when Burton's flick found Shelvey who prodded the ball home from close range but was flagged offside by the official on the far side.

Burton was then guilty of being too far forward as he wheeled away thinking that he had put the Addicks 2-1 up but againwas clearly in an offside position as he finished from 2 yards out.

Kelly Youga was booked for handball before Dean Hammond followed suit as the game entered the last 20 minutes.

In the following attack from the hosts, Bailey lost his footing when well placed to shoot but then Youga danced his way through on the left before striking the base of the post with a firm low shot.

As the game broke into the final into the final quarter of an hour, boss Alan Pardew made a double switch as Radhi Jaidi came on to make his Saints debut by replacing former Addick Chris Perry. Jacob Mellis replaced Joseph Mills at the same time.

After a drop ball stand off tempers briefly flared, resulting in a booking for Wayne Thomas.

With five minutes left to play Dan Harding and Dean Hammond worked an opportunity on the left hand side leading to a low cross which Lallana couldn't quite turn home as he and Elliot clashed.

As play entered four minutes of stoppage time Lallana was withdrawn for Papa Waigo N'diaye with Saints packing the hosts' area at every opportunity, Schneiderlin going closest with a long range shot.

Full Time: Charlton 1-1 Saints