Substitute Emile Mpenza volleyed a last-gasp leveller for Plymouth after Charlton striker Andy Gray had put the visitors 2-1 ahead from a penalty in the first minute of stoppage-time.
It was Belgian ace Mpenza's first and only touch of the game but his right-footed effort would have graced any match.
Gray had clinically finished from the spot after home striker Rory Fallon held on to Charlton captain Mark Hudson's shirt.
The dour tussle had earlier come to life when Charlton left-back Kelly Youga dived to head an 86th-minute equaliser from Nick Bailey's left-wing corner, to cancel out Mat Doumbe's 39th-minute headed opener, also from a corner. Doumbe powered home his header after marker Luke Varney slipped over.
Pardew, whose side are struggling at the wrong end of the Coca-Cola Championship, admitted: "Obviously (given) the pressure we were under and the criticism we have taken a group this week, we got the right reaction today.
"I am proud of the players, especially our captain, who led by example and it gives us something to build on ahead of the game at Birmingham.
"It was a really solid performance and I thought we controlled the game with our shape and we were disappointed to concede (the first) goal.
"At half-time again we have lost the first goal but the reaction was so much stronger and better this time - in the second half we really pressed.
"We got the goal when we needed it and I thought then we could go on and win it.
"It was a definite penalty but the ref was brave to give it because it was a tug on the shirt.
"You think it is over and then the sub comes on and with his first kick hits the sweetest shot you will ever see."
Romain Larrieu was the home hero, making a breathtaking save to deny Hudson from six yards in the 83rd minute and also diving to spectacularly turn away Matt Holland's 20-yard rising drive in the 11th minute.
Plymouth boss Paul Sturrock said: "I feel up and down, indifferent and a wee bit disappointed because we had been fairly comfortable through the second half, outwith Romain's save.
"But the wind gets up and the rain gets up, they changed their system and brought forwards on and next minute they are battering our door and I am a wee bit disappointed that Romain claims he was fouled for the first goal.
"The second goal is a definite penalty, Rory has put his hand up and said he slipped.
"Obviously it's cost us."
Discussing Belgian striker Mpenza, Sturrock said: "I am pleased for Emile, because he has been half-fit and now he's back and he has shown how sharp he is.
"That was more like the Emile that everybody saw at Man City - and he's definitely given me food for thought."