MATCH OF THE DAY: LEEDS 0, CHARLTON 0

CASPER ANKERGREN pulled off a fine double save and they helped Leeds hang on to the record of being the only unbeaten team in all four divisions.

And it kept table-topping Leeds three points clear of chasing Charlton.

But Addicks boss Phil Parkinson was not too downhearted at not closing the gap - especially after his own team lost their unbeaten tag in Tuesday's 3-0 defeat at Colchester.

Parkinson said: "It was important we got back on track after Colchester.

"It was a very good away performance and we could have got three points. For 15 minutes we were second best but we stood up well for the rest of the game.

"We showed commitment, honesty and discipline.

"The early season results would suggest that we both have a chance of promotion but we won't get carried away because this division is more competitive than ever."

This was the first time these teams have faced each other since May 8, 2004 - when Charlton were the visitors on the day that the curtain came down on Premier League football for Leeds.

They have regrouped since then and could have taken a ninth-minute lead when Neil Kilkenny's astute through ball found Jermaine Beckford.

The leading scorer should have added to his seven-goal tally but blasted wide.

Kilkenny was provider again when he stole the ball from Nicky Bailey and set up Bradley Johnson. But the midfielder's shot was blocked after he delayed too long.

Johnson tested Charlton with a blistering 25-yard shot that keeper Rob Elliot did well to tip around an upright.

And Charlton survived again minutes before the break when sub Enoch Showunmi's flick put Beckford through but the offside flag was raised.

Showunmi had replaced striker Luciano Becchio who damaged his right ankle after treading awkwardly on the ball.

Leeds boss Simon Grayson said the striker would undergo an X-ray, admitting: "It's a real concern."

But he was happy enough with the draw. He said: "It was the right result with the two top teams going at each other. It's natural that there was anxiety out there.

"But we've kept our record of the only unbeaten team in the country after 11 games."

That was at its biggest danger on 74 minutes when midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, 17, unleashed a 25-yard shot that Ankergren palmed to his right.

Addicks striker Deon Burton reacted first but, from close range, he hammered his follow-up shot against the chest of the big keeper.

Charlton, with Nigerian defender Sam Sodje making his first start of the season, had Leeds on the back foot on seven minutes. But Sodje looped a header wide.

Former Leeds skipper Frazer Richardson galloped down the right flank and delivered a cross that Shelvey nodded inches wide of the far post.

And Leeds were tested again when former star Matt Spring produced a late swerving shot from 30 yards that screamed into the crowd.

This article has 0 comments