Charlton's promotion party was put on hold by a battling Nottingham Forest side at the City Ground.

Charlton looked set for champagne celebrations when Andy Hunt gave them a 40th-minute lead.

But the bubbly was put back on ice when Forest, badly in need of points themselves, snatched an 81st-minute equaliser from the penalty spot.

It all means that Charlton go into next Friday's home game against Huddersfield still needing the point that will confirm their return to the Premiership.

And the point earned here by David Platt's side inches them ever-nearer First Division safety.

Platt will be delighted with the draw, particularly as Forest were reduced to 10 men for the last 15 minutes after having former Tottenham and Aston Villa defender Colin Calderwood sent off for two bookable offences.

Ironically, Forest produced their most spirited spell after they had been depleted and there were occasions when they threatened to snatch all three points.

But that would have been an injustice on a Charlton side who dominated for long periods without creating too many clear cut openings, particularly in the first half.

Graham Stuart saw a 25-yard effort fly just wide in the 39th minute and 60 seconds later Charlton's increasing momentum brought them an opening goal.

Steve Brown launched a ball forward and through a gaping hole in the Forest defence, leaving Hunt to challenge with the on-rushing Forest keeper Dave Beasant.

Fortunately for Charlton the ball broke kindly and rolled over the line with no Forest player able to clear.

That goal looked as though it would be good enough but 10 minutes after the break Dean Kiely had to make his first save to deny Forest an equaliser.

Calderwood headed a free kick from Chris Bart-Williams across goal and substitute Jack Lester looked a certain scorer until the ball hit Kiely on the line.

Hunt and John Robinson had chances to wrap it up for Charlton but in the 81st minute Forest clawed themselves level.

Anthony Barness sent full back Jim Brennan tumbling in the box and Bart-Williams clinically put away the penalty by sending Kiely the wrong way.

Teams:

Nottm Forest: Beasant, Scimeca, Hjelde (Terry 60), Calderwood, Brennan, Prutton (Gray 86), Bart-Williams, Johnson, Rogers, Harewood, John (Lester 45).

Subs Not Used: Crossley, Louis-Jean.

Sent Off: Calderwood (75).

Booked: Calderwood.

Goals: Bart-Williams 81 pen.

Charlton: Kiely, Barness, Rufus, Brown, Powell, Newton (Parker 87), Stuart, Kinsella, Robinson, Hunt, Svensson (Pringle 69).

Subs Not Used: Tiler, Konchesky, Royce.

Booked: Svensson, Stuart.

Goals: Hunt 40.

Att: 20,922

Ref: G Laws (Whitley Bay).