Hogan Ephraim gave Iain Dowie a timely reminder of what he's capable of, as QPR Reserves were held to a 1-1 draw by Charlton Athletic in their maiden Football Combination Invitation Cup tie of the new campaign.

Returning to action following a shin injury, Ephraim notched the R's equaliser at Loftus Road, as Gareth Ainsworth's start to managerial life with the second string began with a competitive draw against the Addicks.

Darren Ambrose gave Charlton the lead early in the second half, but - inspired by the introduction of the fit-again Akos Buzsaky - Rangers stepped up a level, with Ephraim pulling the hosts level with a well-taken goal on the hour.

In a free flowing opening, Samuel Di Carmine went closest to breaking the deadlock as early as the seventh minute.

A looping ball out of defence totally deceived Linvoy Primus, who having made a hash of his attempted clearance, allowed the Italian to fire a shot on target, which Robert Elliott tipped wide at full stretch.

Charlton's first effort arrived eight minutes later, following some neat link-up play involving Ambrose.

His threaded pass found Svetoslav Todorov, who miscued his effort wide of Reece Crowther's right hand upright.

Gareth Ainsworth sent a stinging drive over midway through the half, before Stuart Fleetwood fired inches past the post at the other end moments later.

Angelo Balanta was oozing class for the R's and when he shimmied past Primus in the 29th minute, only a superb last ditch tackle prevented the Rangers winger from putting the hosts in front.

Patrick Agyemang was the next to try his luck, leaving three defenders trailing in his wake with a terrific turn of pace, only to see low drive tipped to safety by Elliott.

Having orchestrated proceedings for much of the half, it was Rangers who ended the first period in the ascendancy, with Di Carmine poking the ball on target on the stroke of half-time, following a mazy run and dribble from Ephraim.

The 500-plus crowd gave Buzsaky - returning from a long term ankle injury - a rousing ovation as he entered the fray upon the resumption, but it was Charlton who were soon celebrating.

Ambrose was the beneficiary as Rangers failed to clear their lines, poking the ball past the exposed Crowther from six yards out.

Undeterred, Rangers went straight back on the attack, with Ephraim curling the ball high and wide from the edge of the 18-yard box.

Ephraim wasn't to be denied the goal his second half display deserved though, as the R's drew levelon the hour.

Fine interplay involving Matteo Alberti and Di Carmine eventually resulted in Adam Bolder spraying the ball out wide to the former West Ham winger.

Faced one on one with Sam Long, Ephraim mesmerised the young full-back, jinking one way and then the other before curling the ball into the far corner of the net.

Buoyed by their equaliser, Rangers continued to pose the greater attacking threat.

Di Carmine fired wide after Balanta shrugged off Primus with ease, before Buzsaky's stinging drive flew over from distance.

It was all one-way traffic as the clock ticked down. Elliott denied Ephraim with a stunning save in the 70th minute, before the impressive Balanta skewed the ball wide from eight yards out after Alberti played provider from the right wing.

Buzsaky nearly marked his return with a goal five minutes from time, but the overworked Elliott stood strong once again, tipping the ball to safety.

QPR Res: Crowther, Ainsworth, Ilesanmi, Bolder, Harris, Oastler, Alberti, Ephraim, Agyemang (Buzsaky 46), Di Carmine, Balanta.

Subs: Bulmer, Arthur, Maguire, Rose.

Charlton Athletic Res: Elliott, Solly (Long 46), Clark, Wright, Primus, Sinfield, Ambrose, Shelvey, Fleetwood, Todorov, Yussuf (Tuma 65).

Subs: Christie, Jensen, Tuma, Godfrey.