Charlton’s pre-season campaign continued on Friday evening as they shared a 1-1 draw with NK Maribor at Stadion Ljudski vrt.
Miles Leaburn’s strike early in the second half had put the Addicks in front in an entertaining encounter in Slovenia, only for it to be cancelled out late on.
In typical pre-season fashion, the first half was played out at a steady pace, albeit in front of a vociferous home support of ‘ultras’, while an extremely healthy number of Charlton fans had made the journey from south London.
The home side, who begin their league campaign next week, enjoyed the better chances of the first 45 - Tio Cipot fired straight at Thomas Kaminski from just inside the box with six minutes on the clock, while Dario Vizinger saw an effort deflect over the bar.
At the other end, Rob Apter tested Maribor stopper Ažbe Jug with a neat turn and shot from the edge of the box, but it was Kaminski who made the most eye-catching stop of the first half when he somehow kept out Vizinger’s point-blank header.
Once again, Nathan Jones made wholesale changes at the break with 11 changes for the second half and there would be an immediate impact, with the Addicks taking a 50th-minute lead.
Tyreece Campbell’s pinpoint cross from the left was met by the outstretched right boot of Leaburn, who guided the ball into the back of the net for 1-0.
Moments later, Leaburn nearly struck again when his ferocious half-volley only just dipped over the Maribor crossbar.
Jones’ men had largely taken control of the second half, but a trio of subs from the hosts saw the pendulum swing back in their favour and, with 10 minutes remaining, they claimed an equaliser.
A scooped ball over the top caught out the Charlton defence and Isaac Tshipamba was on hand to take a touch and poke it past Will Mannion to level matters as the sides continued to play out a draw.
Ultimately, it was another worthwhile runout for the Addicks which rounds off a successful trip to Slovenia and they will now step up their pre-season campaign with a friendly clash at Gillingham next Saturday.
NK Maribor: Jug, Španring, M’Bondo, Blažič (Kikec 71), Bumbić (Vidmar 71), Repas (Videnovic 81), Viher (Jevšenak 81), Feta, Tshipamba (Osterc 81), Cipot, Vizinger (Komáromi 71).
Subs (not used): Handanović, Golič, Zabukovec, Varmaz Plava, Slana, Balažic, Primc.
Goal: Tshipamba 80
Charlton (first half): Kaminski; Ramsay, Jones, Koumetio, Mesík; Apter, Coventry, Anderson, Olaofe, Knibbs; Kelman.
Charlton (second half): Mannion; Asiimwe, Burke, Gough, Bell; Trialist, Rankin-Costello, Mwamba, Campbell, Carey; Leaburn.
Booked: Mesík 16 (foul on Tshipamba)
Goal: Leaburn 50
Referee: Alen Borosak
Att: 4,000
