Charlton Athletic 4 v Millwall 4

An astonishing match at the Valley this afternoon saw us share an improbable 8 goals with the Auld Enemy. I am just back from the Oak after 8pm and the Charlton mood would appear to be one of disappointment and frustration. The consensus is that we were second best and scraped the draw but I have to say I disagree quite strongly.

Millwall raced into a two-goal lead courtesy of a poor back pass and a referee-assisted goal from a corner that was a goal-kick. Steve Morison finished very well from both chances. We hadn't looked bad at this point but we were two-nil down with a humiliation in prospect.We ploughed on and just after the half-hour David Mooney was brought down in the box on the charge and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Mooney was the only rushing forward and there were no other defenders so it was hard to comprehend how we were awarded the penalty without any action being taken against the offender. No matter, Deon Burton hammered home and we had a lifeline.

Just before the break we got forward with urgency again and there was a clash of players in the Millwall box. Lloyd Sam went sprawling and the ref raced in to officiate. I thought he was about to show a yellow for a dive but he flashed red to Jimmy Abdou and we had the penalty. I wasn't clear over what happened, so will need to see a replay, although a mate in Cyprus was quick to tell me that Sky had ruled it a dive. Deon Burton did superbly well to beat the keeper once again, this time low to his right and the match was set for a storming second-half.

Within minutes of the restart Charlton scored a third that was good enough to win the match. It was one of the best goals I have ever seen at the Valley. Lloyd Sam streaked down the right, delivered a deep cross with Millwall back-pedalling. Mooney headed the ball back to Bailey 20 yards out and he swivelled onto his left foot before connecting beautifully. His shot went like a missile into the roof of the net and stunned the 3000 Millwall fans behind the goal. We almost made it 4-2 moments later when Deon Burton got on the end of a cross but his effort was touched onto the post and out to safety.

We looked comfortable for 15 minutes or so after this but Millwall came back into the match and there was a horrible familiarity with the way they ran through our defence at times. Their equaliser came in due course from son of Charlton stalwart, Kenny Martin, and I thought that was it. Minutes later, however, we forced a corner and the cross was headed back onto the post by a Millwall player. The rebound struck another blue shirt and rolled in for 4-3. Cue pandemonium in the stadium and surely we had secured the most astonishing win over Millwall in our history? The ninety minutes were up and five additional minutes were announced. Almost immediately Millwall surged forward and a succession of passes found their way to Schofield charging in from the right flank and he beat Elliot all ends up for a remarkable draw.

It was a cracking derby and a point gained when three were within our grasp. We remain unbeaten at home and our run continues. We will play better than this and win better than this in coming weeks.

By and large the visiting Millwall fans were well behaved but there were confrontations before the game in Floyd Road and some of the arseholes who made their presence known in the East Stand during the first half assaulted a number of innocent visitors to the toilets before half-time. The security response was sadly lacking and I suspect there will be a Stewards Enquiry in the strictest sense. The Police were conspicuous by their absence and the Steward's response was far too slow and half-hearted.

Nonetheless, we battled back into this game and we forced the issue. It was disappointing to concede the final equaliser but we took them all the way and there are precious few previous Millwall derbies when I can say the same. I am confident of a positive Christmas.

My final comment is reserved for Kent Regional Building Society who let their box (the last one in the East Stand, just behind me) to Millwall fans. Whilst their behaviour was no worse than borderline, it's sad that KRBS felt the need to let it to Millwall fans for our derby game.