In a season where nothing comes easily, Charlton Athletic's 1–1 draw at Oxford United had all the tension of a Championship scrap - two sides in form, fighting for every inch, and neither quite content at full-time.
Coming into the clash, Charlton could take rare comfort in the stats. Oxford's passing accuracy sat even lower than ours but both sides arrived confident.
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Nathan Jones brought back his big defensive guns that beat Birmingham City. Up top, Miles Leaburn was drafted in replacing the ill Lyndon Dykes, a late blow that unsettled the rhythm before kick-off.
The contest itself echoed December's meeting: scrappy, low quality, and short on cohesion.
Oxford's opener came via a contentious penalty, Kayne Ramsay harshly judged after what looked minimal contact on Will Lankshear.
Cameron Brannagan duly converted, leaving Jones seething on the touchline as his team started to miss the chance to hit the 50‑point mark by mid-afternoon.
Yet as Charlton often do under Jones, they refused to fold.
Oxford's Ciaron Brown - who'd graciously praised Charlton's survival prospects pre‑match - handed the Addicks a lifeline when he pulled back Lloyd Jones in the dying embers of the game to concede the second penalty of the match.
Charlie Kelman stepped up with ice in his veins, converting his sixth goal of the season to silence the Kassam. His celebration, charging towards the away fans, summed up the release of a draining week.
Up against Birmingham at home, away to Middlesbrough and then to Oxford in a gruelling seven days, seven points in three matches represents a major stride towards safety. Still, Jones' frustration was plain. He demands standards, and Charlton's display in Oxfordshire lacked the urgency shown midweek on Teesside.
Now comes Norwich City at The Valley - a proper test before the international break.
Will Mannion should keep the gloves after another steady showing, even with Thomas Kaminski fit again. And while many already talk of safety, seasoned Charlton hearts know better: complacency is fatal in this league. But with 48 points on the board and spirit intact, this team has earned the right to believe.