Charlton Athletic Women forced to settle for 2-2 draw against Sunderland

Grace McCatty’s last-gasp equaliser rescued a point for Sunderland in a 2-2 draw against Charlton at Oakwood in the FA Women’s Championship.

Melissa Johnson’s double had put the Addicks ahead after Jessica Brown initially opened the scoring for the visitors, but McCatty levelled late on.

There were no clearcut opportunities until the 15th minute, where Lauren Bruton saw her strike easily dealt with by Sunderland keeper Claudia Moan.

Moan was quickly called into action again, parrying Heidi Logan’s low shot before claiming the rebound ahead of Angela Addison.

Sunderland worked their way into the contest and only a goalmouth scramble stopped them going ahead on the half-hour mark, Neve Herron’s effort from a corner cleared off the line.

And they nearly scored seven minutes before the half-time whistle, Emma Kelly’s fierce strike eventually dealt with.

Charlton came out firing in the second half and Johnson’s strong, low strike in the 55th minute was only parried by Moan, though Emily Simpkins was unable to convert the rebound.

Sunderland were by no means completely under the cosh, Brown coming close for the Black Cats with an effort that flashed just wide with an hour gone.

Just a minute later Brown put the visitors in front, her cross looped over Addicks keeper Sian Rogers.

Their lead lasted for just more than 10 minutes, Johnson calmly slotting the ball under Moan for the equaliser.

It took just two minutes for Johnson to put Charlton in front, firing into the roof of the net after Addison’s initial shot had been saved.

Charlton thought they had won it, but McCatty rifled the ball home in the dying seconds to salvage something for the visitors.

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PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD