Draw takes Addicks out of drop zone

Down and virtually out when Alan Pardew became the Addicks' third manager of the season 13 games ago, Charlton have transformed themselves into a dogged, fighting force.

And the seven-point chasm to safety Pardew had to bridge has now been closed completely by a five-match unbeaten run, with the Londoners now above Sheffield United on goals scored.

The advantage may be slender but if the battling qualities on display at Eastlands are any guide, Charlton will collect enough points from their final six games to secure top flight status by the middle of May.

Successive wins at Middlesbrough and Newcastle may have virtually ended any fears City had of falling into the Championship themselves - but it is five games since Georgios Samaras scored their last home goal and with five goalless draws among the home Premiership results as well, it is little wonder the entertainment value is being questioned.

Emile Mpenza had already seen one effort saved by Scott Carson before he rose to meet a Joey Barton corner, forcing Amady Faye to clear off the line.

Barton then twice forced Carson to save, while Charlton were a sporadic threat, with City skipper Richard Dunne closest to scoring for them as he headed Jerome Thomas' cross just wide of his own goal.

The best chance fell to Nedum Onuoha when he was left unmarked in the area, but his header from Michael Johnson's right-wing cross looped wide.

City were almost caught by a sucker punch when Darren Bent crossed low to Zheng Zhi, but he just had to check his run in order to control and the delay allowed Onuoha to slide in and make a tackle.