Matt Clarke celebrates after scoring for Derby CountyImage source, Rex Features
Image caption,

Matt Clarke headed in the equaliser with his first Championship goal of the season for Derby County

Centre-back Matt Clarke's first goal of the season earned a point for Derby County at home to Charlton Athletic.

James Bree's sublime first-half strike gave the visitors the lead on 37 minutes at the end of a flowing move by the Addicks.

The Rams had appeals for a penalty waved away inside the opening minute but Thomas Kaminski in the Charlton goal was largely untested until late in the game.

The Addicks keeper pulled off a strong save to deny Bobby Clark before defender Clarke rose highest to head in moments later following the corner.

Greg Docherty and Lars-Jorgen Salvesen had late chances as both sides pushed for the winner but the game ended with the points shared.

The result leaves Charlton eighth in the table, with Derby a point clear of the relegation zone in 20th.

James Bree volleys at goal for Charlton, with Ben Brereton Diaz attempting to block for DerbyImage source, Rex Features
Image caption,

James Bree scored the opening goal with a stunning strike for his second goal in two games

Charlton defender Macaulay Gillesphey will perhaps count himself lucky not to have given away a spot kick in the opening minute of the match as he had a handful of Carlton Morris' shirt when the Rams striker tumbled in the box.

An uneventful first half sprung into life late on with a moment of quality from the Addicks attackers, all started by a long ball forward from goalkeeper Kaminski.

Charlie Kelman found space from Dion Sanderson and took the ball down with a deft touch, before playing in Tyreece Campbell.

The Jamaica international pulled it back for Sonny Carey and from there it was one-touch football, as he laid it off to Docherty, who passed out to Bree in space on the right and he smashed the ball first-time beyond Jacob Widell Zetterstrom into the top-left corner.

The hosts were much improved after the break but didn't test Kaminski until the 77th minute of the game when Clark opted to shoot with passing options either side and the Charlton goalkeeper pulled off a fine save.

Charlton cleared away the corner but Lewis Travis recycled the ball back in and Clarke beat everyone to head into the bottom corner with 11 minutes remaining for a deserved equaliser.

Both sides pushed for a winner in a frantic end to the match, with Harvey Knibbs slicing wide before Docherty's added-time effort deflected just wide for the visitors.

Salvesen forced a big save from Kaminski right at the end but John Eustace's side couldn't find the second goal that would have given them a first home win in the league since April.

But the Rams boss will be encouraged by his team's display as they dominated the ball in the second half and produced 18 shots, while Nathan Jones' side stretched their unbeaten run to four Championship matches.

'Disappointing but lots of positives' - reaction

Derby County boss John Eustace told BBC Radio Derby:

"It's important that we keep picking points up. We haven't been as fluid which is frustrating again tonight but we're getting valuable minutes into our top players.

"Patrick [Agyemang] is welcomed to the Championship on Saturday and I think it felt like that a bit today. The defenders were all over him, he's got to learn what the league's all about which is good, he's still a threat.

"There are lots of positives to take out of the game. We're really disappointed with the manner we conceded the first goal because I felt we started the first half really well.

"And when you concede first at home it does create pressure and a bit of tension. At half-time the lads came in, we regrouped and I thought [in the] second half we played well."

Media caption,

John Eustace said there were many positives to take from the game for Derby

Charlton Athletic head coach Nathan Jones told BBC Radio London:

"Relatively pleased. Any point on the road in the Championship is a good point.

"Once we've taken the lead we would have liked to have gone on and probably had a bit more control of the game but full credit to Derby, Derby gave it everything.

"They were playing with a front four, [they] left four up at times and had runners.

"Both sides had chances. They had a chance before they scored and then we had three late on that maybe could have nicked it.

"So there's mixed emotions but I'm happy that we haven't got beaten and it's another point on the board."

Player of the match

Number: 28 J. Bree
Average rating 7.41
Number: 5 M. Clarke
Average Rating: 6.84
Number: 18 D. Ozoh
Average Rating: 6.17
Number: 9 C. Morris
Average Rating: 6.11
Number: 28 D. Sanderson
Average Rating: 5.86
Number: 7 P. Agyemang
Average Rating: 5.78
Number: 15 L. Salvesen
Average Rating: 5.75
Number: 1 J. Widell Zetterström
Average Rating: 5.54
Number: 42 B. Clark
Average Rating: 5.41
Number: 20 C. Elder
Average Rating: 5.15
Number: 22 M. Johnston
Average Rating: 5.10
Number: 32 E. Adams
Average Rating: 5.07
Number: 23 J. Ward
Average Rating: 5.07
Number: 27 L. Travis
Average Rating: 5.03
Number: 19 K. Jackson
Average Rating: 4.78
Number: 14 A. Weimann
Average Rating: 4.73
Number: 25 B. Brereton
Average Rating: 4.40

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.

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