Curbs rues lack of Euro money

"He missed a great chance in the first half, I have never seen him miss one like that in training, but the equaliser will lift his spirits a lot. We are in the top four and we can fight hard to stay there."

Di Canio's return to scoring form is a major boost to Curbishley, who admits frustration at not being able to spend in January's window.

And while he thinks this year's squad at The Valley is his strongest yet, he worries that the lack of purchasing power could cost his team Europe again.

"We are fourth from top but can't really go for it in the transfer market. There is no money to buy anyone with and it is a bit disappointing," he said.

"The squad has already been tested this season and it's held firm so far. We still have Kevin Lisbie, Shaun Bartlett, Luke Young and Gary Rowett to come back and we had a strong bench against City including Claus Jensen and Carlton Cole.

"If there was money available I'd be given it to spend but we haven't got it. I said to the chairman on Monday we should spend £20m we haven't got and go into Administration, but obviously that's not the way we do it at Charlton."

Curbishley said Mark Fish's decision-not to play in this month's African Nations Cup means he no longer wants to sign PSG's Moroccan El Karkouri as defensive cover.

Charlton always looked a cut above a City side without a win in 13. An unlucky Perry ricochet gave Robbie Fowler the chance to give City a 39th minute lead.

But Charlton deservedly levelled when Kishishev's free-kick struck Richard Dunne on the arm.

Di Canio's penalty was brilliantly stopped by Seaman but the Italian followed up to score, and, while City manager Kevin Keegan complained about the goal, Curbishley pointed out that Charlton had been denied a stonewall penalty in the first half when Dunne had clearly pulled Jonatan Johansson's shirt.