Nikola Zigic rescued a late point for Birmingham with an injury-time equaliser to deny Charlton a dream return to England's second tier.

Leon Cort's 82nd-minute header amid a goalmouth scramble looked to have earned the Addicks victory.

But last season's play-off semi-finalists rescued a point with almost the last kick of the game when substitute Zigic scored from 12 yards.

Cort's goal aside, City's debutant keeper Jack Butland was rarely tested.

The 19-year-old was part of England's Euro 2012 squad, selected as number one for Team GB at the Olympics and then made his senior international bow against Italy in midweek.

But this was his first appearance above the fourth tier as he made his long-awaited Birmingham bow.

Charlton's Yann Kermorgant could not test Butland early on as he somehow headed over Johnnie Jackson's cross from just a couple of yards out.

And it set the tone for the match with both sides having several chances to open the scoring.

Substitute Nathan Redmond blazed wide from six yards late on as the game looked to be heading for a goalless draw, but Cort finally found the net five minutes later when the hosts failed to clear Bradley Pritchard's cross.

The goal looked to have won it for Charlton in their first game back in the Championship after a three-year hiatus, until Zigic had the final say.

Birmingham manager Lee Clark:

"It was not our most fluent performance. Some of our players were not exploding. These things happen in the early part of the season.

"It is credit to them that they showed great character to come back to snatch a point.

"It is sign of a good side to come back as they did when our general performance has not been great."

Charlton manager Chris Powell:

"We took the game to Birmingham and should have come away with a win.

"Another day we might not play so well and win. But it is a real confidence boost for the players.

"It gives them a belief in themselves that they can perform in the Championship."

Catch up with all the latest highlights from the Championship on the Football League Show

Lineup, Bookings (1) & Substitutions (5)

Birmingham City

  • 01 Butland
  • 03 Murphy
  • 04 Caldwell
  • 06 Davies
  • 24 Packwood (Spector - 63' )
  • 07 Burke
  • 08 Mullins
  • 10 Ambrose
  • 12 Morrison (Redmond - 63' )
  • 09 King
  • 11 Lovenkrands (Zigic - 85' )

Substitutes

  • 13 Doyle
  • 05 Pablo
  • 23 Spector
  • 15 Elliott
  • 22 Redmond
  • 17 Rooney
  • 19 Zigic

Charlton Athletic

  • 01 Hamer
  • 05 Morrison
  • 16 Wiggins
  • 20 Solly
  • 28 Cort
  • 04 Jackson (Taylor - 88' )
  • 08 Stephens
  • 14 Pritchard
  • 22 Hollands
  • 10 Wright-Phillips (Cook - 77' )
  • 18 Kermorgant Booked

Substitutes

  • 13 Sullivan
  • 06 Taylor
  • 17 Cook
  • 23 Wilson
  • 12 Kerkar
  • 34 Smith
Ref: Sutton
Att: 18,210

Match Stats

Shots

14 9

On target

7 4

Corners

3 7

Fouls

9 10

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:13 Full time

Full Time The referee brings the game to a close.

90:00 +3:05

The assist for the goal came from Christopher Burke.

90:00 +3:05 Goal scored

Goal - Nikola Zigic - Birmingham 1 - 1 Charlton Nikola Zigic scores a goal from inside the box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Birmingham 1-1 Charlton.

90:00 +2:08

Leon Cort fouled by Nikola Zigic, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Ben Hamer.

90:00 +1:10

Nikola Zigic is ruled offside. Ben Hamer takes the direct free kick.

90:00 +0:08

Christopher Burke has an effort at goal from outside the penalty area missing to the wide left of the goal.

88:49

Yann Kermorgant gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Curtis Davies. Jack Butland takes the direct free kick.

87:51 Substitution

Substitution Matthew Taylor on for Johnnie Jackson.

87:51

The offside flag is raised against Nikola Zigic. Chris Solly restarts play with the free kick.

87:51 Substitution

Substitution Johnnie Jackson leaves the field to be replaced by Matthew Taylor.

87:51

The referee blows for offside against Nikola Zigic. Ben Hamer restarts play with the free kick.

84:41 Substitution

Substitution Nikola Zigic joins the action as a substitute, replacing Peter Lovenkrands.

83:45

Christopher Burke has an effort at goal from outside the penalty area missing to the wide left of the goal.

83:31

The ball is delivered by David Murphy, clearance made by Leon Cort.

81:28

Assist by Bradley Pritchard.

81:28 Goal scored

Goal - Leon Cort - Birmingham 0 - 1 Charlton Leon Cort scores a headed goal from close range. Birmingham 0-1 Charlton.

81:24

The ball is crossed by Bradley Pritchard,

80:53

Corner taken by Johnnie Jackson, Steven Caldwell makes a clearance.

80:04

Corner taken right-footed by Dale Stephens to the near post, Marlon King manages to make a clearance.

79:25

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Darren Ambrose from the left by-line, save by Ben Hamer.

79:14

Nathan Redmond crosses the ball, Michael Morrison makes a clearance.

77:30

The referee blows for offside. Jack Butland takes the direct free kick.

77:30

The assistant referee flags for offside against Jordan Cook. Free kick taken by Jack Butland.

76:35 Substitution

Substitution Jordan Cook comes on in place of Bradley Wright-Phillips.

76:04

Shot by Nathan Redmond from deep inside the penalty area misses wide to the left of the target.

75:12

The referee penalises Bradley Wright-Phillips for handball. Free kick taken by Jack Butland.

74:51

Danny Hollands takes a shot. Jack Butland makes a save.

74:11

Foul by Hayden Mullins on Yann Kermorgant, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Chris Solly.

73:28

Unfair challenge on Peter Lovenkrands by Dale Stephens results in a free kick. David Murphy takes the free kick.

72:18

Marlon King is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Ben Hamer takes the free kick.

72:01

Yann Kermorgant concedes a free kick for a foul on Steven Caldwell. Direct free kick taken by David Murphy.

70:14

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Danny Hollands by Hayden Mullins. Free kick taken by Yann Kermorgant.

69:01

Corner taken right-footed by Johnnie Jackson from the right by-line to the near post, Marlon King manages to make a clearance.

68:09

Bradley Wright-Phillips gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Curtis Davies. Curtis Davies restarts play with the free kick.

66:45

Christopher Burke crosses the ball, save made by Ben Hamer.

66:12

Dale Stephens gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Nathan Redmond. Free kick taken by Darren Ambrose.

65:23

Marlon King takes a shot. Save by Ben Hamer.

64:48

Christopher Burke sends in a cross, clearance by Michael Morrison.

62:49 Substitution

Substitution Nathan Redmond comes on in place of Ravel Morrison.

62:49 Substitution

Substitution Jonathan Spector joins the action as a substitute, replacing Will Packwood.

61:45

Christopher Burke crosses the ball, Ben Hamer makes a save.

61:13

Bradley Pritchard produces a cross.

60:12

Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Johnnie Jackson.

58:15

A cross is delivered by Bradley Pritchard, Johnnie Jackson produces a header from inside the six-yard box that clears the bar.

57:35

Corner taken left-footed by Johnnie Jackson.

56:10

The ball is sent over by David Murphy, save made by Ben Hamer.

54:07

Unfair challenge on Leon Cort by Marlon King results in a free kick. Ben Hamer restarts play with the free kick.

53:00

Michael Morrison fouled by Marlon King, the ref awards a free kick. Ben Hamer takes the free kick.

52:15

Marlon King takes a shot. Leon Cort gets a block in. Corner taken by Christopher Burke, Johnnie Jackson makes a clearance.

51:33

Shot on goal by Christopher Burke from just inside the area goes over the target.

50:01

The assistant referee flags for offside against Johnnie Jackson. Jack Butland takes the direct free kick.

48:08

The free kick is delivered right-footed by Darren Ambrose from left wing, Ben Hamer makes a save.

48:08 Booking

Booking Yann Kermorgant receives a caution.

47:49

Yann Kermorgant gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Darren Ambrose.

47:01

Foul by Yann Kermorgant on Steven Caldwell, free kick awarded. Jack Butland restarts play with the free kick.

46:10

Marlon King is caught offside. Ben Hamer takes the direct free kick.

45:01

The second half has started.

45:00 +1:21 Half time

Half Time The half-time whistle blows.

44:30

The ball is sent over by David Murphy, clearance by Rhoys Wiggins. Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Christopher Burke, Marlon King takes a shot. Save by Ben Hamer.

42:13

Chris Solly delivers the ball, Yann Kermorgant takes a shot. Save by Jack Butland.

41:27

Bradley Wright-Phillips delivers the ball, clearance by Will Packwood.

41:00

Johnnie Jackson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Will Packwood. Jack Butland takes the free kick.

39:51

Ravel Morrison has a shot on goal from outside the area which misses left.

37:58

Johnnie Jackson delivers the ball, clearance by Hayden Mullins. Corner taken right-footed by Dale Stephens from the left by-line, clearance made by Marlon King.

32:33

Rhoys Wiggins crosses the ball, Header from deep inside the area by Johnnie Jackson goes harmlessly over the crossbar.

30:11

Yann Kermorgant fouled by Steven Caldwell, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Michael Morrison.

28:22

Foul by Yann Kermorgant on David Murphy, free kick awarded. David Murphy takes the direct free kick.

27:27

Peter Lovenkrands takes a shot. Save made by Ben Hamer.

25:35

Effort on goal by Danny Hollands from long range goes harmlessly over the bar.

25:05

Rhoys Wiggins fouled by Marlon King, the ref awards a free kick. Rhoys Wiggins restarts play with the free kick.

24:34

The assistant referee signals for offside against Marlon King. Free kick taken by Ben Hamer.

22:27

Darren Ambrose takes a shot.

21:44

Header from deep inside the area by Bradley Wright-Phillips goes harmlessly over the crossbar.

20:58

Darren Ambrose delivers the ball, clearance made by Leon Cort.

18:51

Leon Cort concedes a free kick for a foul on Marlon King. Direct strike on goal from the free kick comes in from Darren Ambrose, Ben Hamer makes a save.

17:09

Peter Lovenkrands produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the left of the goal.

15:25

The offside flag is raised against Bradley Pritchard. Direct free kick taken by Steven Caldwell.

12:26

Rhoys Wiggins delivers the ball.

13:10

Peter Lovenkrands concedes a free kick for a foul on Leon Cort. Leon Cort restarts play with the free kick.

12:26

Rhoys Wiggins produces a cross.

10:52

Will Packwood produces a cross, clearance by Leon Cort.

10:08

Christopher Burke produces a cross, Bradley Pritchard makes a clearance.

9:36

David Murphy produces a cross, clearance by Leon Cort.

5:52

Bradley Pritchard is penalised for handball and concedes a free kick. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Darren Ambrose from left wing, Ben Hamer makes a save.

3:08

Corner from the right by-line taken by Dale Stephens, Danny Hollands has an effort at goal from the edge of the box that misses to the right of the target.

3:08

Corner taken by Dale Stephens, Danny Hollands has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the right of the goal.

1:24

A cross is delivered by Marlon King. Peter Lovenkrands takes a shot. Ben Hamer makes a save. Free kick awarded for a foul by Curtis Davies on Bradley Wright-Phillips. Strike comes in from Johnnie Jackson from the free kick.

1:24

The ball is delivered by Marlon King, Peter Lovenkrands takes a shot. Save by Ben Hamer. Free kick awarded for a foul by Curtis Davies on Bradley Wright-Phillips. Shot on goal comes in from Johnnie Jackson from the free kick.

0:32

The ball is sent over by Will Packwood, Rhoys Wiggins manages to make a clearance.

0:00

The match has kicked off.

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