Cardiff City 0-0 Charlton Athletic: Bluebirds frustrated by Addicks

Albert Adomah (right) was playing in what was likely to be his final game for Cardiff on loan from Nottingham Forest

Cardiff City's Championship play-off push lost some of its momentum as they were held to a goalless draw at home by relegation-threatened Charlton Athletic.

Although both sides entered this fixture with a perfect record since the season's resumption, neither could muster a shot on target in a lifeless first half.

The second period was better, with Cardiff's on-loan winger Albert Adomah forcing Charlton goalkeeper Dillon Phillips into a fine save.

Junior Hoilett then blasted over for the hosts, who always looked likeliest to force a breakthrough, but the visitors dug in for a point.

Cardiff keep hold of the final play-off spot as they remain sixth in the table, though their four-point cushion could be reduced when seventh-placed Preston host Derby on Wednesday.

For Charlton, meanwhile, a third game without defeat edges them further away from the relegation zone, with the Addicks now four points clear of the bottom three.

This point at Cardiff City Stadium could prove useful for Lee Bowyer's side in their fight for survival, whereas his counterpart Neil Harris will undoubtedly view it as a squandered opportunity.

And unlike November's dramatic 2-2 draw at the Valley in this season's reverse fixture - Harris' first game in charge of Cardiff - this was a match which never set pulses racing.

It might have been a different story, as both sides had resumed their campaigns in excellent form.

Cardiff climbed into the play-off places with wins over leaders Leeds and Preston, while Charlton clawed their way out of the relegation zone thanks to victories against Hull and Queens Park Rangers.

Robert Glatzel had scored as a substitute in each of Cardiff's wins and the tall German striker's reward was a return to the starting line-up as one of three changes - but his evening was cut short by a head injury.

With fixtures beginning to pile up, Charlton went further with their rotation as Bowyer made seven changes from the QPR victory.

Those wholesale alterations might have been a contributory factor to this game's disjointed nature.

The visitors created a couple of early half-openings for Andre Green but home goalkeeper Alex Smithies was not called into action.

The same was true for his opposite number Dillon Phillips, even if there were glimpses of attacking threat from Bluebirds wingers Nathaniel Mendez-Laing - another who came off the bench to score at Preston - and Adomah.

Any hope either side had of generating momentum was then halted by a long stoppage as Glatzel and Charlton's Sam Field clashed heads and received lengthy treatment before both being forced off the field.

The first half drifted to its goalless conclusion, and the second was similarly short on excitement.

Charlton had the first chance of sorts after an hour as their Wales international centre-back Tom Lockyer fired a dangerous low cross inside the Cardiff penalty area, but it was well blocked by Curtis Nelson.

Then on 67 minutes, the game finally had its first shot on target as Joe Ralls' through ball found Adomah, whose low left-footed effort across goal was well palmed away by Phillips.

Adomah then found Hoilett with an excellent pass, but the substitute winger rushed his shot and fired it over.

That was the last of Cardiff's scoring opportunities on a frustrating evening for the hosts and their play-off aspirations, but one which could prove valuable to Charlton's hopes of avoiding an instant return to League One.

Cardiff City manager Neil Harris:

"The euphoria of the last two games and my praise for the players was right, but we still have a long way to go and that was evident tonight. As much as we dominated the ball, we just lacked that killer moment.

"But it could be a valuable point. Fair play to Charlton, they came and parked the bus at times and didn't quite have those moments to break them down.

"I'm pleased with a clean sheet and a lot of individual performances. We just need those moments of quality."

Charlton Athletic manager Lee Bowyer:

"I think it was a well-earned point. At times we looked dangerous but to be fair at times so did Cardiff. It was a fair result and there were not many clear-cut chances.

"The players gave everything. This is a tough place to come because don't forget Cardiff only came down from the Premier League last season.

"I'm happy with a point because Cardiff are a good side and not many teams have beaten Leeds this season. They had a good win at Preston as well so we knew it would be tough.

"When we passed the ball we looked dangerous and to get seven points from our first three games is very good. The players are putting their bodies on the line and defending properly. To have three clean sheets means you are always going to be in a game."