Wednesday’s Under-23s began the 2019/20 Professional Development League season with a well-earned point against Charlton at Dartford FC’s Princes Park.

With a number of players promoted this summer from the double-winning Under-18s, the likes of Isaac Rice, Liam Shaw and Conor Grant all made the starting XI in Kent.

Charlton went close first with forward Josh Davison hitting over from close range in the very first minute.

But Wednesday began to make their mark with Alex Hunt heavily involved and going close 15 minutes in.

That kick-started a period of Wednesday control - Liam Waldock found Preslav Borukov, who cut inside and forced Addicks keeper Nathan Harness into a smart save.

Wednesday’s dominance would finally result in reward as the hard-working Borukov fed for the advancing Grant to take the ball on and stroke home on the half-hour.

A minute later Josh Render was called into action at the other end as Davison broke from the backline to find himself one on one but the keeper denied him with his feet.

Wednesday were quick out the blocks for the second half with Osaze Urhoghide battling and winning possession in his own half before finding Hunt, who sprayed across to Grant and the midfield man’s effort was well saved by Harness.

As the rain came down hard the Wednesday resolve grew as Fraser Preston, causing the Addicks’ left side all sorts of problems, forced Harness into another smart save.

But on 63 minutes the hosts were level as Charles Clayton lined up Abraham Odoh to fire beyond the outstretched hand of Render.

Wednesday hit back and went in search of a winner and Harness had work to do from a Liam Shaw effort.

The Hunt and Grant partnership was working well in the engine room and a well-timed pass from the former found the latter who weaved his way past two defenders and drew another fine save from Harness.

The Owls almost won it with the last kick of the game when Grant took a free kick he won but fired just over the bar and both sides had to settle for a point.

Wednesday: Render, Hughes, West, Waldock, Urhoghide, Rice, Shaw, Hunt, Borukov (Damba 75), Grant, Preston (O’Brien 85)