Boumsong twice denied Darren Bent and once substitute Jason Euell as the Addicks emerged with a creditable away day point.
Charlton starting line-up: Matt Holland started in place of Smertin who was left out after starting Charlton’s previous five games. Darren Ambrose started his first game since the defeat at Spurs at the beginning of the month. He replaced the injured Thomas (thigh). Jonathan Spector also started after spending the duration of the FA Cup fifth round tie against Brentford on the bench. Powell dropped back down to the bench. Jason Euell also returned and was named among the substitutes for the second time this month, replacing Bartlett who has been largely restricted to FA Cup appearances of late. Reserve keeper Darren Randolph is named on the bench after Anderson took a knock. Marcus Bent returned to the starting line-up after being cup-tied so its bench duty again for Bothroyd who hasn’t started a league game since the end of October. Talal El Karkouri is also named among the substitutes after missing the FA Cup tie last weekend.
Glenn Roeder (NUFC): "I think Alan Curbishley came up here and set his stall out for a point. We thought he might because he has done it before against some of the top teams and got good results. Charlton came at us in the last 15 minutes or so, and that was probably their plan all along to try and catch us. They had a couple of opportunities, but we defended well."
Alan Curbishley: "We trained for 4-4-2 but once the Newcastle team came in we changed as we were a bit concerned about Emre and Bowyer and us being outnumbered, so we set about stopping it."
"I don't really think anyone deserved to win it although I felt we looked that little bit stronger in the last 15 minutes. We had a few decent situations, which we didn't take full advantage of, but it would have been cruel on either side to lose. It looked like a stalemate all along really and I'm sure at the end of it Glenn Roeder would have taken a point."
"This week was a big week for us. This game and the Liverpool game were rearranged, we have got through in the FA Cup and we needed to get something here. Our away record in recent months has been desperate. We have had it really tough."
"In the last six or seven games we've not given ourselves a chance as we've gone behind early on and been left chasing the game. We were determined not to be 1-0 down and chasing it tonight and the players are delighted at keeping a clean sheet more than anything."
Shay Given (NUFC): "Charlton had a few half chances. It was important not to lose. Jean-Alain Boumsong played very well and got some good blocks in. He has put in a man of the match performance on a tough night. I think we should get some credit for the way we defended and as a goalkeeper I am pleased to keep a clean sheet but we are disappointed because before the game we looked at Charlton and thought it was a game we could win.
Source: Official sites