The early exchanges were fast and furious with neither side able to establish any rhythm.
City gifted Charlton an opening on nine minutes when a mistake by Ricky Scimeca allowed Di Canio to scamper clear. The Italian squared the ball to Mark Fish whose low shot from 16 yards was comfortably saved by Ian Walker.
Athletic threatened again on 26 minutes when Graham Stuart took advantage of hesitancy in the Leicester defence but squandered the chance when he lifted his 15-yard shot over the bar.
After Scimeca had driven a 30-yard shot over the bar Charlton were almost gifted a freak opener on 37 minutes when Stuart's cross to the far post was almost diverted into his own net by Ben Thatcher.
City were quick to capitalise on their good fortune by taking the lead a minute later.
Eager to make amends for his error, Thatcher made space down the left and crossed for Ferdinand to get in front of Chris Perry and bury a header beyond Dean Kiely from six yards out.
It was a landmark goal for Ferdinand, coming on his 400th league appearance.
City started the second half on the charge with Kiely having to block Jordan Stewart's angled drive with his legs.
The game continued to be an evenly contested affair with neither side able to furnish a clear-cut chance.
On 66 minutes, City elected to vary their attacking options with Paul Dickov coming on for Ferdinand.
The switch almost paid instant dividends with Marcus Bent's turn and shot from eight yards out crashing against an upright.
Bent then turned creator when he brought down a James Snowcroft cross and turned quickly to feed Muzzy Izzet, whose close-range shot drifted inches wide.
Charlton went close on 76 minutes when Stuart's snapshot from 15 yards came back off a post and City were grateful to scramble the ball clear.
The referee, Graham Barber, threw Charlton a lifeline on 84 minutes with the award of a dubious penalty.
Di Canio appeared to be steering the ball away from goal when Steve Howey was ruled to have blocked his run with an outstretched arm.
After the protests had subsided, Di Canio took the spot-kick himself, sending Walker the wrong way.