U23S REPORT | Charlton 1 Nottingham Forest 1

..Charlton’s U23s were held to a draw by Nottingham Forest in Professional Development League 2 South on Monday afternoon.

The Addicks took the lead through an own goal from Forest stopper Tim Erlandsson but a Jordan Laurence-Gabriel header just before half time ensured that the clash ended all-square at Sparrows Lane.

Forest came close on 12 minutes when Danny Preston fired in a low cross but Toby Edser could only divert it over the crossbar from six yards out.

At the other end, Charlton’s Terrique Anderson saw a close-range strike brilliantly cleared off the line by Ariel Ahmedhodzic, following some impressive wing play from full-back Jordan Zemura.

On 21 minutes, Ashley Maynard-Brewer saved well from Edser and six minutes later Anderson was denied by an equally good stop from Forest goalkeeper Erlandsson.

Erlandsson extended himself again on 34 minutes, diving to his left to keep out a Luke Carey shot, but four minutes later he gifted the Addicks the lead when he inadvertently punched a deep Dan Birch cross into his own net.

Forest levelled almost immediately. A free-kick was curled into the box and Jordan Laurence-Gabriel glanced it into the net with his head.

The teams headed in level at the break and 20 minutes from time no-one in red was able to connect with a dangerous Zemura cross, with neither side having threatened before that since half-time.

A Jo Cummings header rattled the post from a corner on 75 minutes and, seconds later, the Addicks centre-back saw another header kept out, this time by a brilliant save from Erlandsson.

Addicks substitute Kareem Isiaka fired a low shot at goal 10 minutes from time, which Erlandsson saved, and Maynard-Brewer then saved from Brennan Johnson shot on 90 minutes and that proved to be the final chance as the game ended level.

Charlton U23s: Maynard-Brewer, Birch, Cummings (c), Stevenson, Zemura, Dempsey, Sarpong-Wiredu, Junior, Carey, Ocran, Anderson. 

Subs (not used): Harvey, Blumberg, Rich.

Goal: Erlandsson (og) 38

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