Max Watters netted an 96th-minute leveller as Barnsley drew 2-2 with Charlton Athletic on Tuesday evening, having led 1-0 on 75 minutes.

Davis Keillor-Dunn had the hosts in front at the break then they missed a series of chances but conceded two poor goals to their former player Luke Berry on 76 and 93 minutes. But Watters salvaged a point for the hosts who were better overall than in previous home games.

They remain eighth with 19 points from 12 games.

Adam Phillips was not involved after coming off with an ankle problem on Saturday in the win at Blackpool. Vimal Yoganathan replaced him for his first league start ever. There was no goalkeeper on the bench for the Reds but Sam Cosgrove and Max Watters were both back after injury and among the substitutes.

Charlton’s Miles Leaburn almost scored in the first 30 seconds when, after skipping past Josh Earl and Marc Roberts as he cut in from the right, his weak close-range shot was turned away by Gaga Slonina.

The visitors had another good chance midway through the first half when, after a one, two between Conor Coventry and Allan Campbell, Matt Godden shot over from 12 yards.

Barnsley’s first shot arrived in the 31st minute and saw Josh Earl’s low long-range parried away by goalkeeper Will Mannion who made a better stop seconds later when he tipped over Georgie Gent’s powerful effort.

The opener was on 35 minutes when Corey O’Keeffe found Stephen Humphrys whose shot from 25 yards was parried by Mannion to Keillor-Dunn who tapped in from close range. It was probably a deserved lead at the break for the hosts who had grown into the game.

Charlton began the second half well and almost equalised when, after Leaburn turned away from both Luca Connell and Earl, he played through Godden on the right of the box but the shot was straight at Slonina who caught easily.

But Barnsley then had a succession of chances for a second goal.

Keillor-Dunn almost scored a second when he headed just wide of the top left corner after Humphrys impressively beat a man and crossed form the left of the box following a good move.

Jon Russell came close twice in a matter of minutes after the hour, as he smashed a volley off the bar from Roberts’ long throw then, when the goalkeeper missed a Connell corner, his low shot was impressively turned off the line by Leaburn.

Keillor-Dunn’s low shot from the left of the box was saved by the legs of the goalkeeper after de Gevigney won the ball in his half and sprinted forwards.

But it was Charlton who levelled on 76 minutes when substitute Matty Craig sliced a clearance into the air just inside his box and ex-Red Luke Berry volleyed in.

Connell was off the pitch for the goal following treatment, and was taken off for Watters.

Charlton nearly took the lead when, after a good move down the right, Godden’s shot was beaten away by Slonina.

Roberts saw a header from a Gent cross saved by the goalkeeper on 87 minutes.

Charlton thought they had won it but Berry lobbed into an empty net after Slonina punched a Tyreece Campbell cross straight to him.

But Slonina’s long pass was flicked on by Roberts then Watters found the bottom left corner with a good finish.

Barnsley (3-5-2): Slonina; de Gevigney, Roberts, Earl; O’Keeffe, Yoganathan (Craig 65mins), Russell, Connell (Watters 77), Gent; Humphrys (Jalo 89), Keillor-Dunn (Cosgrove 89).

Unused: Cotter, Pines, Lofthouse.

Yellow cards: Roberts, Connell.

Goals: Keillor-Dunn 35, Watters 90+6.

Charlton (4-4-2 diamond) : Mannion; Edmonds-Green, A Mitchell, Gillesphey, Edwards; Coventry, Taylor, Anderson (Watson HT), A Campbell; Leaburn, Godden.

Unused: Maynard-Brewer, Small, Docherty, Berry, T Campbell, Dixon.

Yellow cards: Edmonds-Green.

Goals: Berry 76, 90+3.