Everton's Mikel Arteta shields the ball from Charlton's Hermann Hreidarsson

Both clubs went into the match harbouring ambitions of cementing a place in the top half of the table.

But neither deserved to claim the victory in an encounter short on moments of real quality and dominated by the two defences.

Everton keeper Richard Wright was almost embarrassed by Matt Holland's first-half shot, while opposite number Thomas Myhre denied James Beattie.

Everton gave a first start of the season to Lee Carsley, while Charlton rested Darren Bent - who had a slight ankle knock - as a precaution ahead of the FA Cup quarter-final at Middlesbrough.

The England striker missed a desperately poor first 45 minutes almost totally devoid of inspiration.

Everton goalkeeper Wright nearly suffered huge embarrassment after 37 minutes when he allowed a hopeful punt from Holland to bounce over his head and he was forced to race and turn the ball away for a corner.

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Beattie almost broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time in an incident that was out of character with the rest of the match.

He struck a stunning first-time volley from fully 30 yards that produced a fine fingertip save from former Everton keeper Myhre.

Charlton had rarely threatened, but Jason Euell had a chance when Gonzalo Sorondo's header caused confusion in the six-yard box only for Everton to scramble his effort to safety.

Addicks boss Alan Curbishley made a double change after 65 minutes, sending on Dennis Rommedahl and Shaun Bartlett for Jay Bothroyd and Radostin Kishishev.

The switch almost reaped instant rewards, but the head of Alan Stubbs got in the way of Rommedahl's goal-bound shot.