CHARLTON, with a performance of spirited and purposeful football which belied their status, fully deserved a replay at Anfield in three weeks' time.

On an evening which evoked memories of even better games than this at The Valley, they hustled Liverpool out of their cultured stride and generally had the better of the game.

Charlton went ahead in the 8th minute with a goal David James will ponder with some misgivings. The Liverpool goalkeeper came too far off his line and David Whyte, responding quickly to Carl Leaburn's clever flick on from goalkeeper Mike Salmon's long clearance, lobbed him with assurance.

The echoes of The Valley's celebration were still in the warm evening air when Liverpool equalised four minutes later. John Barnes provided the long ball for Patrik Berger, whose forward runs from deep positions troubled the London side in the first half. Berger used his strength to ride one tackle before crossing for Robbie Fowler to score with a simple tap in.

Charlton deserved to be on level terms at half time and might have regained the lead in the fading minutes of the first half.

In the 40th minute Ricky Otto ended a sustained period of pressure by shooting over after Barnes had given away the ball. It would have been an injustice if Fowler had scored from Berger's cross in the 44th minute.

Liverpool's hesitant defence was immediately under pressure at the start of the second half and, Phil Babb had to clear from the lively Otto's centre.

Even with six in midfield, if the deep lying Berger and Steve McManaman are counted, Liverpool struggled to match a highly competitive Charlton side.