ROVERS gained a point from an entertaining clash with promotion-chasing Charlton Athletic at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

We expected a tough encounter as Lee Bowyer’s in-form team are in play-off contention but we made a bright start as we looked eager to show we could match them.

The Gas had plenty of possession in the first half and the players deserve credit for battling hard and playing well with a number of injuries and suspensions hitting the side.

Partington and Sinclair are out for the season, Lines was suspended for his red card madness last week and Sercombe was also forced to withdraw early on in the contest.

That meant Lockyer had to move to an unfamiliar midfield role but it did give Broadbent a chance to get back in the side where he formed a strong defensive partnership with Craig.

Our pressure paid off in the 21st minute as Bennett seized on a careless header back to goal and darted in to fire the ball past the helpless Addicks’ keeper.

Bennett shone again in another man of the match display, showing skills, trickery and workrate as his influence on the side continues to grow.

We were good value for our lead but Charlton also enjoyed spells of pressure and Slocombe had to be at his best to keep them out, pulling off a couple of spectacular saves during the contest.

Rovers suffered a blow just before half-time as they gained the equaliser through a deflected shot.

Neither side managed any more goals in the second half but the play was end-to-end as both teams searched for a winner.

Youth product Michael Kelly impressed on his debut as he came off the bench for the last quarter of an hour and looked assured at left back.

It was an enthralling game between two decent sides and it was encouraging to see that even an injury-hit Rovers side were a match for one of the better sides in the division with a battling performance that left us in 10th position.

Another tough test is in store on Saturday as top of the table Blackburn Rovers come to the Mem.