John Hartson marked his home debut for Coventry by grabbing the equaliser at Highfield Road.

But Gordon Strachan's side remain in deep trouble and are now without a win in eight Premiership games.

At least the manager had the consolation of seeing a fiesty display from Hartson.

The former Wimbledon striker also set up the opening goal for fellow Wales international Craig Bellamy.

The Coventry supporters immediately warmed to Hartson, who joined their struggle on a pay-per play basis after worries about his fitness.

Hartson showed his willingness to mix it with the opposition and he put in an unselfish 90 minutes work.

He always posed a threat and his link-up play with Bellamy and David Thompson had to be applauded.

Relegation-threatened Coventry made the breakthrough after 10 minutes.

Hartson fired in a shot that was spilled by Charlton keeper Sasa Ilic. Bellamy, following up, made no mistake to boost a Coventry side without a win in their previous seven Premiership matches.

Charlton had come close before Bellamy's strike with keeper Magnus Hedman forced to make an instinctive save.

Claus Jensen delivered an inswinging corner from the right and it was scrambled away.

But Mark Kinsella was lurking on the edge of the area and smashed in a shot that Hedman did well to dip over.

Charlton broke away and drew level after 22 minutes with Coventry in disarray at the back.

Finland striker Jonatan Johansson smacked a shot against the bar and the penalty area became littered with bodies.

Mathias Svensson saw his effort blocked but Richard Rufus was able to toe-poke the rebound over the line.

Coventry's fragile confidence had again been exposed but with Hartson and Bellamy up front they continued to pose a threat.

Charlton keeper Ilic looked unnerved by Hartson's presence and his display in the first half hour was unconvincing to say the least.

Charlton grew in confidence after getting the equaliser and looked dangerous on the break.

Rufus again strode out of defence only to be hauled down on the edge of the area by Youssef Chippo.

Jensen tried to curl a free-kick beyond Hedman but his effort was too high.

Coventry were again forced to back-pedal two minutes before the break when Svensson fed the ball to Graham Stuart.

His 20-yard shot was fiercely struck but went the wrong side of Hedman's post.

Charlton took the lead just a minute into the second half to stun the home side.

Radostin Kishishev played a lovely little ball over the top into the waiting Johansson.

He took it first time and his effort went in off the post for his 14th goal of the season.

Charlton almost grabbed a third goal in the 55th minute when Mark Kinsella delivered a rasping 20-yard drive.

Keeper Hedman looked to be beaten but got his fingertips to it at the last moment to divert the ball for a corner.

Coventry drew level in the 67th minute with Hartson grabbing his first goal for the club.

Marcus Hall played the ball in from the left and the Wales striker scuffed a shot beyond Ilic.

Hartson almost put Coventry ahead in the 72nd minute, only to see his effort blocked.

Lee Carsley then released Thompson but he hurried his shot and saw it drift wide of the post.

Thompson was out of luck eight minutes from time when his shot was cleared off the line by Mark Fish after Hartson had set up the chance.

Coventry went for the winner with the crowd roaring them on but with Manchester City grabbing three points their sorry plight at the foot continues.

Teams:

Coventry: Hedman, Edworthy, Shaw, Breen, Hall, Thompson, Carsley, Quinn, Chippo (Aloisi 59), Hartson, Bellamy.

Subs Not Used: Williams, Telfer, Kirkland, Bothroyd.

Goals: Bellamy 10, Hartson 67.

Charlton: Ilic, Rufus, Todd, Fish, Kishishev, Powell, Jensen (Konchesky 88), Kinsella (Newton 79), Stuart, Johansson (Lisbie 90), Svensson.

Subs Not Used: Brown, Caig.

Goals: Rufus 22, Johansson 46.

Att: 19,480

Ref: M Halsey (Welwyn Garden City).