Ten-man Charlton secured a valuable draw against Leeds - despite a missed penalty from Paul Mortimer in the second-half.

Graham Stuart had given Charlton a well earned lead in the 20th minute - but United's young defender Jonathon Woodgate registered his first goal of the season to pull David O'Leary's team level going into the break.

Leeds struggled all afternoon against a fervent Charlton side - that is until Richard Rufus was controversially red carded for a tackle on Leeds substitute Jones.

Charlton battled hard all afternoon - with Leeds suffering the immediate blow of losing midfielder David Hopkin after only 14 minutes with an ankle injury.

Hopkin had to be replaced by Alf Haaland after trying to run off the injury which he sustained in a rare Leeds attack.

Charlton call the shots

For the most part in the opening 15 minutes it was a gutsy Charlton who called the tune.

Striker Andy Hunt had two good efforts saved by goalkeeper Nigel Martyn when, firstly, Leeds failed to clear a long ball from goalkeeper Andy Petterson and then when Hunt exchanged passes with Paul Mortimer before shooting.

It was no great surprise when new signing Stuart hooked Charlton in front in the 20th minute.

Stuart, Charlton's record £1.1m signing from Sheffield United, struck his third home goal with a first-time volley from close range after Hunt headed down Chris Powell's long cross from the left.

Quick equaliser

But Charlton's lead lasted just four minutes as Jonathon Woodgate came up with a 24th minute equaliser which stunned the home side.

Ian Harte swung over a long free-kick from the right and Woodgate lost Hunt from his marker at the far post to jab the ball past Petterson.

Leeds were soon under the cosh again in the second half with Pringle and Hunt both finishing wide of the mark with half chances created by pure pressure.

Missed chance

But Charlton wasted a golden chance to go back in front in the 55th minute after Woodgate brought down Pringle when the ball appeared to be running out of play.

The referee had no option but to award a penalty and show the yellow card to Woodgate.

Paul Mortimer, making his first Charlton start since December had the mortification, however, of seeing his penalty shot bounce away off a post with Martyn well beaten.

Charlton would not let such misfortune get them down and two minutes later as they raised more pressure it took a wonderful recovery tackle by David Wetherall to prevent Pringle going clean through on goal from Kinsella's superb pass.

Red card controversy

Charlton's anguish was doubled when centre-back Rufus was sent off in the 64th minute after Jones went crashing down on the left wing touch line.

Rufus was frustrated by the red card but referee Wilkie had no hesitation in showing it and it means that the defender, who was dismissed in the opening game of the season at Newcastle, will miss practically the rest of the season with a four-match ban.

Charlton: Petterson, Mills, Rufus, Tiler, Powell, Stuart, Kinsella, Jones, Mortimer, Pringle, Hunt. Subs: Brown, Bowen, Bright, Barnes, Salmon.

Leeds: Martyn, Woodgate, Radebe, Wetherall, Harte, Hopkin, Bowyer, Batty, Kewell, Hasselbaink, Smith. Subs: Haaland, Wijnhard, Ribeiro, Jones, Robinson.