Charlton 0 Ipswich 0 – Addicks make it nine unbeaten but can’t find finishing touch

Charlton Athletic extended their unbeaten run to nine League One matches but had to settle for a Valley stalemate against Ipswich Town.

The Tractor Boys arrived in South London with manager Paul Cook hugely critical of their 3-0 loss at AFC Wimbledon in midweek. And they played like they had a point to prove, especially in a first half where their work ethic saw the home side struggle for any kind of fluency.

Ryan Inniss had to clear off his own line from Keanan Bennetts after Ben Amos initially kept out a James Norwood header.

Charlton’s best chance fell to Jayden Stockley in the first half. Tomas Holy spilled Adam Matthews’ cross but the striker’s shot lacked enough power and Stephen Ward was able to clear.

The Addicks were the team who looked most likely to find a winner as the Tractor Boys seemed happy to take a point.

Jake Forster-Caskey whipped a first-time effort over the bar while Holy also pushed out an effort from the same player with Stockley unable to follow up from close range.

Charlton had few options on the bench to change things – the injured Chuks Aneke and Conor Washington accounting for 23 of their goals this season. A deep corner was guided back across by Ryan Inniss and Diallang Jaiyesimi could only direct his header straight at Holy.

The result leaves the South London club seventh in the table. But they closed the gap on Portsmouth, who lost 1-0 at Milton Keynes, to two points as well as having a fixture in hand.

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD