CHRIS Maguire’s fifth goal of the season saw Oxford United recover from conceding a disputed penalty to earn an entertaining draw at home to Charlton Athletic.

The deadlock was broken in a tight game early in the second half, when Phil Edwards was penalised for a handball in the box despite appearing to have been pushed.

Johnnie Jackson despatched the penalty to put Charlton in front.

But United’s response was strong and within 13 minutes they were back on level terms, when substitute Kane Hemmings teed up Maguire to score.

There was still a quarter of the game remaining, but neither side could find a winner and Charlton were left to negotiate a tense few seconds late on when Harry Lennon was sent off for two bookable offences.

With Wes Thomas not fully recovered from a calf injury, Ryan Taylor came in up front in the only change from the side which started against MK Dons a week earlier.

United had won their previous three games at the Kassam Stadium and played with a real purpose early on.

It took a brilliant save from Declan Rudd to deny Chey Dunkley heading the home side into a fifth-minute lead from Maguire’s deflected cross.

Having escaped, Charlton looked to assert themselves on the game.

Russell Slade’s side moved the ball cleverly when they got the chance and repeatedly manoeuvred attacking players into space in central areas, despite United playing John Lundstram and Joe Rothwell.

The Addicks carved their hosts open with a slick move in the 13th minute, but Fredrik Ulvestad’s low cross just evaded Josh Magennis.

The striker did not miss Simon Eastwood, though, who stayed down after being clattered.

To the relief of the home fans, the in-form goalkeeper was able to play on after receiving treatment.

The pattern of the first half was now set – both sides were neat on the ball, but found life difficult once they reached the final third.

Marvin Johnson came as close as anyone in yellow to opening the scoring before the break.

The winger first collected Taylor’s header in the 20th minute, volleying just wide of Rudd’s right-hand post.

With the next chance the summer signing from Motherwell beat Morgan Fox before cutting in off the right flank and forcing the goalkeeper to make another smart stop.

United’s defence played well, but they needed Eastwood to add another outstanding save to his collection this season to keep the scores level at the break.

When Taylor was tackled in the centre circle United appealed for a foul but Chris Solly threaded a pass through for Ademola Lookman, who was denied by the goalkeeper.

The deadlock was controversially broken eight minutes after the restart.

Oxford Mail:

  • Phil Edwards protests to referee Keith Stroud in vain

There was no doubt Edwards handled a deep free-kick, but the full back had received what looked like a push as he rose for the ball, which was not spotted by referee Keith Stroud.

After a lengthy delay Jackson coolly rolled his spot-kick down the middle as Eastwood dived to his right.

United immediately switched from 4-2-3-1 to 4-4-2 and quickly got Hemmings on the pitch to provide more of a punch up front.

Within seconds the striker had tested Rudd and within minutes he laid on the equaliser.

A Charlton move broke down on the edge of United’s area and a swift counter-attack saw Johnson find Hemmings racing forward.

The substitute waited before passing to the sprinting Maguire, who lashed a first-time shot into the far corner from 12 yards.

Parity was almost brief, though.

Magennis must have thought he had headed Charlton back in front from six yards, but Eastwood’s fingertips diverted the ball over for a corner.

It was an outstanding save and ultimately earned his side a point.

Neither side looked content with a point and brought attacking reinforcements on from the bench.

Ricky Holmes caused plenty of problems, firing one effort just wide from outside the box.

United looked most dangerous on the break, but a couple of promising attacks petered out to let Charlton off the hook.

The visitors finished the game with ten men after Lennon’s red card, but with only seconds remaining there was no opportunity for the home side to take advantage.

Oxford Utd: Eastwood, Edwards, Dunkley, Raglan, Skarz (Ruffels 90), Rothwell (MacDonald 77), Lundstram, Maguire, Sercombe, Johnson, Taylor (Hemmings 60).

Unused subs: Buchel, Long, Ledson, T Roberts.

Charlton Ath: Rudd, Solly, Bauer, Lennon, Fox, Foley (Novak 71), Lookman (Holmes 63), Crofts, Ulvestad, Jackson (Botaka 81), Magennis.

Unused subs: Phillips, Konsa, Chicksen, Novak, Ajose.

Referee: Keith Stroud (Hampshire).

Attendance: 8,847 (1,476 visitors).