Cambridge earned a gutsy 1-1 draw with Charlton to move a further point clear of the bottom four.

The away side scored first after 23 minutes when George Dobson’s pass was taken down on the edge of the box by Connor Wickham, who then fired low beyond Will Mannion to mark his full debut with a goal.

In added time Mannion made an excellent save to deny Tyreece Campbell, and soon after the break he also pushed Tyreeq Bakinson’s shot wide.

Instead Cambridge hit back after 50 minutes through Macauley Bonne, who struck a powerful shot on the turn from the edge of the box and celebrated his first U’s goal against one of his former clubs.

Charlton missed a huge chance to go back ahead 13 minutes from the end when Dobson played sub Alfie May through on goal, but the division’s top scorer saw his shot come back off the far post.

In the final seconds of the game Mannion again came out on top, denying May at his near post.