The Wanderers endured a difficult start and found themselves behind after just two minutes. Annesley was caught in possession inside the six yard box, allowing Charlton to open the scoring with a simple finish.
The visitors doubled their advantage only two minutes later. A miscommunication between Vincent and Annesley saw the latter dispossessed once again before the ball was squared across goal for another straightforward tap in.
Despite the early setback, Dorking began to grow into the contest. In the ninth minute, Barrett cut inside onto his left foot and saw his effort parried into the path of Forster, who converted the rebound, only for the assistant referee’s flag to rule the goal out for offside.
Pybus then delivered two dangerous crosses in quick succession. Both crosses were met by Rutherford, the first of which travelled inches wide of the post, before the forward connected with another excellent delivery a minute later and then forced a superb save from the Charlton goalkeeper.
The Wanderers’ pressure eventually paid off in the 16th minute. Charlton failed to fully clear a corner and the ball was delivered back into the penalty area, where a clever flick on found Brennan at the back post to nod home and reduce the deficit.
Dorking continued to threaten and nearly found an equaliser after 25 minutes. Forster’s cross was not dealt with by the Charlton defence and fell kindly to Wood, whose shot was parried into the path of Rutherford. However, his resulting header dropped comfortably into the goalkeeper’s hands.
Charlton offered a reminder of their threat on the counterattack shortly before half-time, as their centre forward raced through on goal and attempted to lob Morris, but the experienced goalkeeper was well positioned to make a comfortable save.
After a poor opening few minutes, the Wanderers recovered impressively and headed into the interval having finished the first half as the stronger side.
Dorking were able to carry that momentum into the second period. Brennan released Forster with a well weighted pass in the 49th minute, but the Charlton goalkeeper got down sharply to keep out his low effort.
The hosts continued to create chances and deservedly drew level just before the hour mark. Jimmy McShane threaded an excellent pass through to Forster, who produced a composed finish to score his first Wanderers goal and make it 2–2.
Charlton responded and came close to restoring their lead in the 70th minute. Morris reacted brilliantly to deny an initial effort before the partially cleared ball fell to another Charlton player, whose clean strike was met by another impressive stop from the Wanderers’ goalkeeper.
The visitors did regain their advantage seven minutes later. A dangerous free kick was whipped into the area and met by the Charlton captain, who directed his header beyond Morris to put his side 3–2 ahead.
However, the Wanderers refused to accept defeat and continued pushing until the final whistle. Their persistence was rewarded in the third minute of stoppage time when Charlton failed to clear a cross into the penalty area. The ball bounced around inside the box before falling to Cristiano, who kept his composure to tap home a dramatic late equaliser.
The full time whistle confirmed an entertaining 3–3 draw. After falling two goals behind inside the opening four minutes, we were able to fight back on two separate occasions and displayed excellent spirit to earn a deserved result.