Pardew looks for comfort amid the cat-calls

Charlton Athletic 1 Southampton 1

After sharing a cup of tea before the game Alan Pardew and Phil Parkinson had to make do with a point each, which just about suited them in their own way. For Charlton, Deon Burton's equaliser after Adam Lallana had given Saints the lead was enough to put them back on top of League One, even if it did mean dropping their first points since the campaign started.

Pardew's Southampton have yet to win at all, but for a side struggling to break even after their points deduction it was a most welcome draw.

Although it was points dropped, and a shabby first-half showing, Parkinson rated the draw as highly as any of the previous six League wins. He said: "Southampton set out their team to stop us and in the first half did that, but our lads responded magnificently. In the second half, with the two disallowed goals and a penalty appeal, we deserved to win.

"After six wins this was just as pleasing to get a point. Alan and I had a good chat and a cup of tea before the game and the game was a good battle. With the team they have, the way they played shows they will climb that table, of that I have no doubt."

Although Parkinson, assistant to Pardew at The Valley before getting the manager's job in his own right, still holds his friend in high esteem, the Charlton faithful clearly feel differently. A section gave Pardew dog's abuse as they showed what they thought about his part in their slide from the top flight to League One.

Pardew dismissed it, preferring to focus on the progress he is making with the Saints. He said: "We made a silly error for their goal, the crowd got involved and we went on the back foot.

"We lost our way, which is understandable for a team that has not won yet, but we are making real progress. People who have seen our last four games will see we have improved considerably, so really we just need a win now to give us confidence to play 90 minutes solid."

Burton and Jonjo Shelvey both had goals disallowed for offside while Saints' Dan Harding, who did a fine job in containing player-of-the-month Lloyd Sam, escaped punishment for holding back Burton in the area.

Saints also had a penalty appeal turned down when their new signing Papa Waigo N'Diaye was dragged down in a crowded box, but that first win was not to be.