Relegation strugglers Sunderland were denied a crucial three points by substitute Kevin Lisbie's late strike at The Valley.

The Wearsiders had come from behind in a frantic opening to their penultimate Premiership match of the season to lead 2-1 after 11 minutes.

Starting the day fourth from bottom and just two points ahead of Ipswich, the Wearsiders found themselves behind to Jason Euell's goal after just 63 seconds.

But Kevin Kilbane equalised almost immediately and Kevin Phillips headed in a second in the 11th minute, his first since scoring against Manchester United on February 2.

Peter Reid's side have become Ipswich's main rivals in the relegation battle after they slipped to their lowest position of the season on the back of just four points from a possible 21.

Charlton manager Alan Curbishley had urged his own side in the pre-match build-up to secure the point they needed to make certain of their own top-flight future, following their return of just a solitary draw from six matches.

Given the dour displays by both sides in recent times, no-one inside the packed south-east London ground could have predicted the explosive start to the encounter.

The hosts were ahead with just 63 seconds on the clock as Luke Young's quick throw-in released Jonatan Johansson down the right and his cross picked out top scorer Jason Euell, who swivelled to direct a first-time volley wide past Thomas Sorensen from 10 yards.

It was a brilliant finish from the £4.75million record signing and his 13th goal of the season.

But there was hardly time for the Addicks faithful to celebrate, as Sunderland levelled 51 seconds later.

Thomas Butler spotted the run of Kevin Kilbane and the Republic of Ireland midfielder took the pass in his stride before slotting calmly past international team-mate Dean Kiely.

Any suspicions that the frantic start might give way to a lesser pace were dispelled quickly as both sides sought to add to the scoreline.

A lovely move from Charlton resulted in Graham Stuart feeding Scott Parker into the area and the England Under-21 midfielder rounded Sorensen only for the giant goalkeeper to claw the ball away at the second attempt.

John Robinson also had a tame shot held by the Danish international keeper before Sunderland went ahead in the 11th minute, through Kevin Phillips' first goal since a strike against Manchester United on February 2, 11 matches ago.

Kilbane was fouled by Jorge Costa some 35 yards from goal and referee Eddie Wolstenholme then intervened to stop Sunderland taking a quick free-kick.

When McAteer did eventually deliver, though, he picked out Phillips beyond the Charlton backline and he powerfully headed past Kiely to make it into double figures in the Premiership this season.

Sorensen then had to react magnificently to fist out a Johansson effort two minutes later as both defences struggled to contain some incisive attacking.

Sunderland's custodian was also forced to hold Robinson's low drive after the Charlton winger skilfully flicked the ball over Darren Williams head with his right foot and shot with his left.

At the other end, Niall Quinn nearly added to the Wearsiders' advantage after his typical aerial dominance lead to a header crashing off the crossbar.

It was perhaps fitting that the contest resembled the most thrilling match in Charlton's history, that 1998 Division One play-off victory over Sunderland at Wembley.

The hat-trick hero of that 4-4 draw, which the Londoners won on penalties, Clive Mendonca, was the special guest and received a standing ovation 10 minutes before the start.

Mendonca, 33, was forced to retire in February after finally succumbing to a hip injury.

Sunderland, who have the worst goalscoring record of all 92 clubs finally broke into double figures on the road in the Premiership here, in their 19th and final match.

The visitors were also intent on breaking their duck in the capital.

They had been beaten on all five previous visits to London this season, including a comprehensive 3-0 defeat at West Ham a week ago.

That defeat appeared to have more serious ramifications after Phillips was left nursing an ankle injury which was set to rule him out for the rest of the season.

But, having made a rapid recovery, his presence was crucial.

So was that of Sorensen, who was down smartly again at the start of the second half to hold Richard Rufus' header, from a Mark Kinsella corner, on the goalline.

The highly-charged atmosphere had threatened to boil over throughout and it did so just short of the hour.

Referee Wolstenholme, the man who, ironically, officiated in that Wembley showpiece four years ago, had to take action after Robinson was hacked down by Kilbane, the latter lucky to receive a yellow rather than red card.

That incident arrived seconds after Robinson and Euell were involved in a spat with McAteer and Darren Williams.

When normality was restored, the outstanding McAteer delivered another quality pass to pick out Quinn, who had got round the back of substitute Chris Powell, but his volley swerved wide.

But it was Charlton who finally did alter the scoreline as their pressure finally told.

Johansson's control had allowed Sorensen to smother when the striker raced through onto Kiely's long clearance.

However, the next chance was volleyed into the net by Lisbie after the visitors' defence failed to clear Stuart's chipped cross into the six yard-box.

Teams

Charlton: Kiely, Young, Rufus, Costa, Konchesky (Powell 45), Stuart, Parker, Kinsella (Lisbie 66), Robinson (Svensson 74), Johansson, Euell.

Subs Not Used: Ilic, Fortune.

Booked: Stuart, Costa.

Goals: Euell 2, Lisbie 82.

Sunderland: Sorensen, Williams, Craddock, Bjorklund, Gray (McCartney 77), McAteer, Thirlwell, Butler, Kilbane, Phillips (Mboma 81), Quinn.

Subs Not Used: Macho, Kyle, Schwarz.

Booked: Kilbane, McAteer, Quinn.

Goals: Kilbane 2, Phillips 11.

Att: 26,614

Ref: E Wolstenholme (Blackburn).