Parky pride at fightback - and fans

Phil Parkinson saluted his side's character - and hailed the drenched supporters - after watching Charlton's 10 men fight back for a point at Yeovil Town.

After Sam Sodje was sent off for a professional foul, the Addicks fell a goal behind a minute before the break as John Obika slid the Glovers in front.

But Sodje's younger brother, Akpo, leapt off the bench in the second half to level matters in fantastic fashion, and the shorthanded visitors were unlucky not to take all three points after dominating the second 45 minutes.

"To have come in at 0-0 would have been great for us, particularly in the circumstances,” said the Valley boss. "Unfortunately we gave ourselves a mountain to climb. But we climbed it.

"Even at 1-0 down, I told the players if we stepped onto them and were positive, then we could go on and win the game.

"We did everything but win the game. It was a fantastic performance, full of character and commitment from the lads. And we are back in a good groove again.”

And reflecting on the rain-soaked backing, Parkinson added: "The highlight of the day was our supporters. For 1,500 to follow us down and stand in the pouring rain in the open terrace was incredible.”

For the second successive Saturday the elements intervened in Charlton's League One business - and having swept Milton Keynes Dons aside at a gusty Valley, the Huish Park clash was played in torrential rain and a fierce wind, blowing straight into the faces of the exposed away fans.

Yeovil began brightly, but having weathered the early storm - literally - Charlton found themselves a man down on 33 minutes as Sodje's desperate sliding challenge on Ryan Mason, when the striker was clean through on goal, earned him a straight red card.

The Addicks clung on until the final minute of the half when Obika broke the offside trap and slid the hosts in front.

Having replaced David Mooney with Miguel Llera, Parkinson brought on Akpo Sodje for Therry Racon at half-time, and Charlton were immediately on the offensive.

Indeed, they held the upper hand for the entire 45 minutes as they laid siege to the Glovers backline.

Parkinson, who was delighted with the impact of his substitute, added: "We had a goal disallowed and I'd like to see that again on the coach home as Akpo tells me it was onside.

"Akpo did what we know he can do. I had a chat with him this week and said I'd brought him in to play, but Deon [Burton] and Dave Mooney responded to him being on the bench last week by scoring a goal each.

"He was outstanding. The goal itself, if that was all he did today, was a goal that would be talked about at the end.

"It's as good as you are likely to see across the country today.

"We had numerous other chances, their keeper pulled off some fantastic saves and we had a goal disallowed, but the all-round commitment of the team was great.”

Parkinson had no complaints about the sending off of Sodje, admitting: "He had to go. But I was more disappointed with the goal we conceded.

"It wasn't a day for rolling the ball out from the back and playing pretty football; it was a case of getting it forward, and then when it came back, winning the second ball in areas in the attacking third.

"Taking everything into account. we should be happy with a point. but after the way we played when we were down to 10 men, it should have been all three.

"We totally dominated proceedings in the second half. Credit to the boys, they approached the game very well.”

When quizzed about the application of the foreign players on show in Somerset, Parkinson added: "They have all been in the country long enough now to know what it's all about.

"[Jose] Semedo continued his performance from MK Dons and put in a powerful performance today, certainly in the second half.

"At Southampton away in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, Miguel Llera was probably our best player, so it was a tough decision [to leave him out v MK Dons] as I've got three very good centre-backs.

"All I can say is Miguel's attitude has been incredible in training. The lads love him; he's a real character and he'll probably be playing this week as Sodje will be suspended. Then he will have a good chance to stake a claim.”

Fittingly though, the last word has to go to the fans.

Soaked to the skin behind the goal, they cheered and chanted for the entire 90 minutes, and Parkinson led his players to applause the travelling vocal support after the final whistle.

"I said before the game to the lads that we owed the supporters an away performance after the Northwich and Carlisle games," said Parkinson. "And we certainly gave that.

"Hopefully, they will be travelling home proud of the Charlton team, and a little disappointed not to take three points.”