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Yet although Wanderers twice went close to increasing their lead only to be foiled by keeper Carlo Cudicini, they paid the penalty of trying to play out time, Gianfranco Zola's free-kick enabling Hasselbaink to get the faintest of touches to glance a header past Jussi Jaaskelainen in at the far post.
For much of the first half Wanderers were forced to play second fiddle to Chelsea's neat passing game.
The Londoners dominated the opening half hour, Zola probing the defence to give Eidur Gudjohnsen sight of goal, but the home defence stood firm and apart from one or two moments of hesitancy, Jaaskelainen in the Wanderers goal remained untroubled.
A shift in formation for the final quarter of the half from 5-3-2 to 4-4-2 helped Wanderers restore some balance to their play and for the first time they were able to put some pressure on the Chelsea defence.
Jay-Jay Okocha and Paul Warhurst both benefited from the move and it was Wanderers who came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first 45 minutes, a powerful shot from Youri Djorkaeff forcing Cudicini into a good save to push the ball round a post.
Chelsea's introduction of Hasselbaink at the start of the second half almost produced an instant reward, Anthony Barness having to be alert to clear the danger. Minutes later the Dutchman had sight of goal again, this time Jaaskelainen saving well to tip the ball over the bar.
The Wanderers goal then had another escape as Mario Melchiot turned a Chelsea corner towards goal, only for Charlton to clear off the line.
Cudicini who had kept a clean sheet for five Premiership games did well to turn a dipping Warhurst shot over the bar, but from the 63rd minute corner he was finally beaten as Pedersen turned in Djorkaeff's corner for his third goal in two games.
Cudicini was almost beaten again moments later but managed to deflect a goalbound Kevin Nolan shot with his legs.
Pedersen came close to grabbing a second when put clear by Okocha, but Chelsea suffered in the 76th minute when Babayaro was sent off after appearing to elbow Djorkaeff.
However, Chelsea were not going to be denied and Hasselbaink's late leveller earned them a point that looked to have evaded them.