Watford produced an inspired second-half showing to battle back from two goals down to earn a draw at Charlton and haul themselves level on points with Coca-Cola Championship leaders Stoke.

The Addicks looked to be cruising to a fourth straight home win in the league thanks to Darren Ambrose's early strike - his second goal against Watford this season - and a Dan Shittu own goal.

But the half-time introduction of John-Joe O'Toole proved the catalyst behind Watford's unlikely comeback.

The teenage midfielder took his tally for the season to four before Shittu scored for the second time in an astonishing afternoon at The Valley.

The Hornets started the day well aware that victory would see them leapfrog Stoke - who beat Scunthorpe 3-2 on Friday night - back into top spot, but it was the hosts who were the more impressive in the opening 45 minutes.

Luke Varney drilled just over from 18 yards after four minutes before the one-time Crewe striker headed Lloyd Sam's cross into the side-netting from an acute angle.

And the Addicks made all their early pressure count as Ambrose broke the deadlock with 15 minutes played.

Andy Gray threaded a pass through to Ambrose on the edge of the penalty area and the former Newcastle midfielder slotted home his sixth goal of the season with a low, right-footed shot from 12 yards.

Five minutes later, Ambrose headed an inswinging Greg Halford corner wide while Nathan Ellington flashed a close-ranger header off target on a rare Watford attack shortly after.

Al Bangura spurned a decent chance to test goalkeeper Nicky Weaver on the half-hour mark when a neat passage of play allowed the midfielder a sight of goal, but he dragged wide from outside of the box.

Any hopes of a Watford comeback suffered a major setback nine minutes before the interval when Shittu turned Halford's centre into his own net from six yards.

Jobi McAnuff struck the post with a fine curling 20-yard shot on the stroke of half-time to give Adrian Boothroyd's side some much-needed impetus before the interval.

Bangura made way for O'Toole at half-time and it proved an inspired substitution by Boothroyd as the youngster instantly turned the game on its head and helped Watford score twice in as many minutes.

Tommy Smith was afforded too much time and space on the right flank and O'Toole rifled his cross past Weaver from 12 yards.

Then, barely 60 seconds after O'Toole had hauled his side back in the game, Shittu made amends for his earlier blunder as he rose unmarked to head home Mathew Sadler's teasing corner.

Watford's quickfire two-goal salvo left the hosts stunned.

Zheng Zhi tamely fired at Richard Lee distance shortly after while Shittu again got on the end of dangerous set piece to head McAnuff's free-kick just wide form six yards.

Alan Pardew sent on Lee Cook with 25 minutes remaining in the hope of mustering a winner, but it was Watford who looked the more threatening.

Smith saw a soaring 18-yard shot sail just over while Weaver produced a superb late save to deny McAnuff from 25 yards.

Ellington also fired a 20-yard free kick over in the latter stages.

Teams:

Charlton Weaver, Halford, McCarthy, Fortune, Youga, Sam (Thomas 77), Zhi, Holland, Ambrose (Cook 68), Varney, Gray (Iwelumo 78).

Subs Not Used: Elliot, Sodje.

Goals: Ambrose 15, Shittu 36 og.

Watford Lee, Mariappa, Shittu, Bromby, Sadler, Smith, Bangura (O'Toole 46), Eustace, McAnuff, Henderson, Ellington.

Subs Not Used: Poom, Doyley, Williamson, Ainsworth.

Booked: Ellington.

Goals: O'Toole 54, Shittu 55.

Att: 26,337

Ref: Paul Taylor (Hertfordshire).