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Mpenza breaks Addicks hearts

Alan Pardew instructs from the sideline during Saturday's dramatic clash. Picture: Barry Goodwin
Alan Pardew instructs from the sideline during Saturday's dramatic clash. Picture: Barry Goodwin

Plymouth 2 Charlton 2

Under-pressure Charlton manager Alan Pardew insisted his players were 100 per cent behind him despite seeing victory snatched from their grasp by substitute Emile Mpenza's last second equaliser at Home Park.

Seconds of stoppage time remained when the Belgian international struck a spectacular equalser with his first touch in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

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"As much as we're disappointed not to have won, the players showed they are with me and they'll fight for me, " said Pardew.

"I changed training and changed a number of other things in the way that I prepare the team. The players gave me the response I was looking for and I cannot speak highly enough of them.

"I intend bringing in a couple of players because I accept that we need an offensive player."

Pardew confirmed that midfielder Darren Ambrose was in talks with Ipswich and could return to his first club on loan.

Mpenza broke Charlton hearts with his first goal for Argyle after Andy Gray's penalty seconds earlier had looked to have clinched the team's first win since October 28 in a frantic finale.

Referee Andy Hall pointed to the spot after Rory Fallon tugged skipper Mark Hudson's shirt.

The Addicks, who dominated the second half with a much-improved performance, equalised in the 85th minute when Kelly Youga arrived unannounced in the penalty area to head his first goal of the season from Nicky Bailey's seventh corner of the game.

Argyle had been clinging to a 39th minute lead given them by Mathias Kouo-Doube.

Plymouth's Romain Larrieu was the busier of the two goalkeepers, producing excellent saves to foil Matt Holland and man-of-the-match Hudson.


Charlton: Weaver, Moutaouakil, Primus, Hudson, Youga, Bailey, Holland (Todorov 69), Semedo (Dickson 74), Bouazza, Varney (Sam 56), Gray. Subs not used: Elliot, Cranie.

Attendance: 10,716.

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