Charlton came from behind three times to earn a point from a pulsating draw at 10-man Colchester in League 1 on Saturday.

Paul Benson earned the Addicks a point with an acrobatic volley late-on after Johnnie Jackson had twice converted from the spot.

The Essex side twice took the lead in the first half through Matt Heath’s header and then Andy Bond, only for Jackson to twice keep his nerve from 12 yards to make it 2-2, with the hosts being reduced to 10 five minutes before the break following the second award after David Perkins was adjudged to have handled on the line.

Colchester went ahead for a third time through Anthony Wordsworth but Benson levelled with a 76th-minute overhead kick and saw a header disallowed for a push before himself being sent-off for a late tackle on John White.

It was a frustrating afternoon for the Addicks, who dominated the second half but who slipped to third and out of the automatic promotion places following Southampton’s win.