SUB Charlie MacDonald saved a point for Charlton on Saturday, but manager Alan Curbishley was left to reflect on two more additions to his injury ravaged Addicks.

Gary Speed's mishit volley after 73 minutes looked to have given Newcastle the points in an absorbing clash, but MacDonald made an instant impact and grabbed his first-ever Premiership goal with a flashing left-foot drive to avoid a third successive defeat.

Last week, Charlton were knocked out of the fourth round of the Worthington Cup when an extra-time goal from Watford's Heidar Helguson gave the Hornets a 3-2 victory.

Curbishley said: "We have had a nightmare with our injury situation. Mark Kinsella and Andy Todd both had operations at the weekend and now two more have been injured.

"We're digging in at the moment and I'm pleased with their efforts. If we continue to play as we did against Newcastle and West Ham, then I'm sure we'll get the home win we deserve soon."

On Saturday, Dean Kiely pulled off three good saves inside the first-half hour and United's lively Welsh international Craig Bellamy later hit the outside of the post,

Curbishley's injury list lengthened when Fortune replaced an unwell and hamstrung Brown and Shaun Bartlett had hobbled off after landing awkwardly.

Within three minutes of the re-start Charlton should have had a penalty when Jensen chipped a free-kick towards goal only for a hand to emerge out of the Newcastle wall to divert it to safety. Ref Andy D'Urso ruled it "play on".

Speed's goal put United ahead and then Graham Stuart was replaced by MacDonald who promtly lashed in the equaliser four minutes after Alan Shearer had been red-carded for elbowing Fortune.

December 4, 2001 12:23