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Phil Parkinson has promised Charlton will bounce back after their relegation to League One was confirmed with a 2-2 draw at home to Blackpool.

The Addicks, who only dropped out of the Premier League two seasons ago, continued their alarming descent and will be in the third division of English football next term for the first time in 29 years.

But Parkinson, who has been unable to arrest the slide since taking over from Alan Pardew in November, insists the club who have been homeless and faced extinction in their recent history will rise again.

"We have been dangling by a thread and today was always going to be difficult," said Parkinson after Saturday's Championship clash at The Valley.

"This club has had low moments before and has come back, and it will do so again.

"Everyone here today will have seen the terrific unity from the supporters and also seen that we have got some quality footballers.

"If the nucleus of this team is kept together and added to then we will have a great chance of doing a Leicester next year."

Parkinson did not want to be drawn on whether he will be given the chance to emulate the Foxes and lead Charlton back into the Championship at the first attempt.

"Now is not the time to discuss my own position," he added.

"There will be a review of the season after the last three games and I'm just focusing on them.

"I don't want to discuss my position because that would be disrespectful to everybody at the club. It's not about me, it's about Charlton Football Club - a fantastic club which has been relegated but will come back strongly."

Charlton kicked off knowing only a win would give them any chance of prolonging their battle for another few days, starting the day 12 points adrift with only a dozen to play for.

And they so nearly kept their side of the bargain on a sunny afternoon in south London, although positive results for Nottingham Forest and Barnsley would still have consigned the Addicks to the drop.

Deon Burton and impressive 17-year-old Jonjo Shelvey put Charlton 2-0 up just after half-time.

But DJ Campbell's penalty, after Mark Hudson had brought the striker down, and a stoppage-time equaliser from substitute Lee Hughes secured a point for Blackpool.

"They must have had problems here because they shouldn't be going down, they've got better players than a lot of teams around the bottom of this division," said the visitors' caretaker boss Tony Parkes.

"Hopefully they can get back. It's not always easy but if they can keep their players together they'll have a good chance."

The Seasiders are not quite out of the woods themselves, but will be breathing easier now lying six points above the drop zone with two games left.

"We're not safe yet so we will stay focused and carry on," added Parkes.

TeamTalk / Eurosport