Gavin Massey struck an injury time equaliser as the Valiants came from behind three times to earn a point in the first game at Vale Park in 2024.
The visitors created the opening chance of the game after seven minutes when Daniel Kanu broke into the left-hand side of the Vale area and tested Connor Ripley with a low strike, but our number one turned it behind brilliantly with his legs.
On the 15th minute mark, it was Ashley Maynard-Brewer’s turn in the Addics' net to be forced into action. The Valiants produced a nice passage of play with the ball ending up with James Wilson outside the box, who curled an effort goalwards which was held on to by the visiting keeper.
Uche Ikpeazu came close to slotting Vale in front just five minutes later when he beat the Charlton defender to Conor Grant’s cross, but our striker steered his header too high and over the crossbar.
On 27 minutes, Charlton took the lead. Louie Watson’s flicked header fell into the path of Corey Blackett-Taylor who fired past Ripley and into the Vale net.
The game sprung into life with two minutes to play before the break when Wilson latched onto Ikpeazu’s glancing header in the six-yard box, but somehow Charlton’s number one clawed it away.
From the initial opportunity, the Valiants recycled the ball and Wilson found Devine in acres of space outside the box, who hurdled an effort towards the top corner, but Maynard-Brewer tipped the ball over to keep the visitors ahead.
Moments later, Gavin Massey attempted to whip a cross into the box, but it was adjudged by referee Martin Coy to be blocked by a hand, awarding a penalty to the Valiants. Ethan Chislett stepped up and sent Maynard-Brewet the wrong way to bring the sides level.
Vale’s strong finish to the half continued into stoppage time when Ikpeazu connected with Tom Sang’s corner, but the aerial effort was collected by the Addics' goalkeeper in the last action before the interval.
Seven minutes following the restart, Blackett-Taylor was denied his second goal of the contest as Ripley pushed away the midfielder’s near post effort to prevent Charlton from retaking the lead.
With 59 minutes played, the visitors found themselves in front for the second time. Kanu pounced on a loose pass inside the Vale penalty box and finished past Ripley from close range.
The Valiants responded in the 62nd minute and were only denied an equaliser because of heroics from Maynard-Brewer in the Addics goal. Chislett rifled a half volley from outside the box destined to nestle in the Charlton shot stopper’s goal, but the number one was equal to the strike.
Just seconds later, Vale were deservedly level following a cross from captain Nathan Smith which was headed home emphatically by Ikpeazu.
Vale continued to dominate the proceedings and showed hunger in their pursuit of a winner, one that nearly arrived in the 68th minute. Devine picked up the ball on the edge of the area and fizzed a shot which was once again saved terrifically by Maynard-Brewer.
However, with Charlton’s hopes kept alive by their number one, it was the visitors who looked to have stolen all three points seven minutes from time. Tyreece Campbell connected with substitute Terrell Thomas’ delivery and struck too powerfully for Ripley to keep it out.
But the Valiants pursued relentlessly to bring the game back to level terms and in the third minute or injury time they did just that through Gavin Massey, who rooted Maynard-Brewer to the spot with a stunning curling effort to earn Vale a well-deserved point.
Port Vale| Connor Ripley, Tom Sang (Rhys Walters 85’), Nathan Smith, Ethan Chislett, Alfie Devine, Uche Ikpeazu, Conor Grant, Jason Lowe, Gavin Massey, Jesse Debrah (Alex Iacovitti 39’), James Wilson (Baylee Dipepa 76’)
Unused Subs: Jayson Leutwiler, Kofi Balmer, Ryan Loft, Jack Shorrock
Charlton Athletic| Ashley Maynard-Brewer, Lloyd Jones, George Dobson, Michael Hector, Tayo Edun (Terell Thomas 69’), Tennai Watson, Tyreece Campbell, Corey Blackett-Taylor (Nathan Asiimwe 90’), Louie Watson, Daniel Kanu, Karoy Anderson
Unused Subs: Lucas Ness, Scott Fraser, Henry Rylah, Sam Walker, Patrick Casey