Charlton poise ruined by Devlin in the detail

Birmingham City 1 Charlton Athletic 1

It is 48 years since these two teams last met in the top division. It may not be too great a disservice to football if it is another 48 years. The match seemed destined to end in a draw and, in truth, the result appeared to suit both sides, although Charlton should be disappointed to have lost two points and their chance to record their best-ever total at the half-way point in a Premiership season.

However, the game was enlivened by a quixotic display from referee Rob Styles, who appeared to want to hand out cards to every player on the pitch. Well, it is Christmas. Quite why he did not send Birmingham's Robbie Savage off for slapping Scott Parker after 86 minutes it is hard to explain. Maybe he just lost count after nine yellow and one red card.

It was the sort of wet, greasy afternoon suited to sliding passes and sliding tackles. We got not much of the former and plenty of the latter, although Savage should probably try to be in the same half as his opponent when he launches himself.

Both sides were missing influential players. For Birmingham, Darren Purse was out after injuring an ankle in training, leading to only a third appearance of the season, and the first since October, for the club captain, Steve Vickers.

Charlton brought Claus Jensen back to replace the suspended Jason Euell, who has been so instrumental from midfield in the club's recent run of four wins and a draw, which has propelled them up the table. But there was also a surprise omission, with Richard Rufus not in the starting line-up or on the bench. Paul Konchesky was recalled.

It was Jensen who provided the one moment of quality in an attritional first half as he linked up with Scott Parker from a corner after 36 minutes. A one-two left the Danish international free to round the goalkeeper, Nico Vaesen, and score coolly. It was a goal of some quality.

If only, for Charlton, Kevin Lisbie had shown similar nerve three minutes earlier when he was put through by Konchesky only to have his weak shot smothered by Vaesen. How he needs panache to match his pace. The goal was barely deserved, although Charlton did show more poise than the home team, who seemed anxious and unable to rouse themselves. Jovan Kirovski, playing behind the front two, had a free-kick cleared off the line by Konchesky – but, in truth, it was weak effort.

The game spilled over after 53 minutes when Birmingham striker Geoff Horsfield was sent off for a high challenge on Luke Young. It was a straight red card. In the ensuing pushing match, which ended up in the Charlton dug-out, his fellow striker Clinton Morrison was booked for protesting.

Manager Steve Bruce responded with a double substitution, bringing on wide players Paul Devlin and Stan Lazaridis, both returning from injury. Devlin nearly had an immediate effect. But his right-footed cross shot was turned away for a corner by Dean Kiely.

The sending-off drove Birmingham on and they equalised from the penalty spot after Aliou Cissé fell under the challenge of Jensen on 65 minutes. It appeared a harsh decision, as did the earlier sending- off, but Devlin drove the spot-kick high to Kiely's right.