Ishmael Miller cancelled out Zheng Zhi's early goal as Coca-Cola Championship rivals Charlton and West Brom fought out an FA Cup third-round draw which neither wanted.

 

 

China international Zheng found the net in only the second minute with his seventh goal of the season but Manchester City loanee Miller was on hand to tuck away an equaliser with his side's only decent chance of the first half.

 

The Addicks, who have won only twice at home in their last 10 matches, pushed hard after the break but could not find a way through and the promotion rivals now face a cup replay to add to their already punishing league schedules.

 

There was little evidence of the magic of the competition as two teams who have rarely troubled the latter stages in recent memory - and who have bigger fish to fry in the shape of a return to the Premier League - ran out in front of a disappointing crowd.

 

The fact that both managers left out their top scorers, Chris Iwelumo and Kevin Phillips, suggested neither would shed too many tears if they were not in the hat for the fourth round.

 

But Alan Pardew's side stunned the visitors with less than 90 seconds on the clock as Lloyd Sam crossed to the far post.

 

Darren Ambrose headed the ball back across goal to the feet of Zheng, who swivelled on the edge of the six-yard box and fired past Baggies goalkeeper Dean Kiely.

 

Former Charlton stalwart Kiely denied the hosts a second in the ninth minute with a fine save to keep out Izale McLeod, before Zheng's acrobatic effort went straight to the veteran keeper.

 

But West Brom scored with their first meaningful attack in the 34th minute as Chris Brunt meandered down the left and sent in a low cross which Miller tucked past Nicky Weaver.

 

McLeod felt he should have had a penalty when he was blocked in the Baggies area by Martin Albrechtsen, but referee Keith Woolmer was not impressed, and Kiely held Ambrose's low shot as the first half drew to a close.

 

After the break Charlton striker Luke Varney should have done better with a cut-back from Yassin Moutaouakil but the ball was played in just behind the striker and his shot looped up for Kiely to palm clear.

 

At the other end, Miller held off Moutaouakil before firing across the face of goal.

 

McLeod then squandered an excellent chance when he opted to shoot with the unmarked Varney screaming for the square ball and Kiely made a comfortable save.

 

Kiely was the busier of the two goalkeepers and was forced into further saves from Varney and McLeod, although Weaver did well to keep out a fierce drive from substitute Sherjill MacDonald.

 

Pardew made a triple substitution in the 77th minute, throwing on Iwelumo, Grant Basey and young striker Chris Dickson.

 

Dickson, just back from a goal-laden spell with Gillingham, should have bundled home a winner six minutes from time but Kiely dived at his feet to grab the ball.

 

And in stoppage time Madjid Bougherra headed straight at Kiely from a corner as the Baggies held out.

 

 

(sportinglife.com January 6, 2008)