Will Mannion heroics earn Charlton draw at Watford

Charlton were indebted to goalkeeper Will Mannion as his heroics helped them record a 1-1 draw at Watford.

The Addicks took the lead through Matty Godden, his first goal of the season, as he made an instant impact after being substituted on just after the hour mark.

But Watford were more than good value for their leveller as livewire Nestory Irankuda converted in emphatic fashion.

Mannion made a string of saves for the south-east Londoners as they extended their unbeaten away run to six matches.

There were plenty of chances in the opening 45 minutes with both sides hitting the woodwork.

Charlton centre-back Lloyd Jones headed over from a Tyreece Campbell cross with just two minutes on the clock.

Watford attacker Irankunda forced Mannion to push the ball past his right post less than 60 seconds later after being released by Giorgi Chakvetadze’s pass.

Liverpool loanee Luke Chambers fired narrowly over for the visitors from the edge of the box.

Watford captain Imran Louza pounced on a short backpass by Tyreece Campbell to send Irankunda racing away from marker Amari’i Bell but Mannion once again produced a fingertip save after 22 minutes.

Moments later and a Louza cross came back off the crossbar with the Addicks goalkeeper left a spectator.

Charlton carried a threat through the pace and directness of Campbell.

It was the Jamaican international who was fouled for a free-kick, taken by Sonny Carey, which saw Charlton skipper Greg Docherty head against the left upright from eight yards out in the 35th minute.

Mannion made two saves early in the second half from Chakvetadze and Mamadou Doumbia.

Godden struck with his first touch after being subbed on before a Harry Clarke long throw in the 62nd minute. Kayne Ramsay flicked the ball on and the frontman produced a perfectly-executed right-footed strike past Egil Selvik.

Joe Rankin-Costello, another Charlton substitute, had an opportunity to make it 2-0 as he broke into the left of the box but the midfielder had to stretch to get off a shot and Selvik parried.

Irankunda, who also hit the crossbar with a swerving strike in the second period, levelled after 74 minutes as he raced on to a deft through ball from Louza to rifle emphatically into the bottom left corner of the net.

Mannion continued to be kept busy and only a plunging save to his right kept out another attempt from Irankunda.

Louza flopped to the turf in disbelief as Mannion produced another quality save to turn his shot from the edge of the box around his right post towards the end of normal time.

Charlton’s Conor Coady was stretchered off being struck in the head by a venomous shot by Tom Ince. The former England international had lengthy treatment on the pitch.