Match notes
A goal from Norwegian international Erik Huseklepp, just before half-time, was cancelled out by an excellent dead ball strike by Stephen Crainey in the second period giving both sides a share of the spoils.
Pompey were unchanged from the team that started against Peterborough United with Hungarian Marko Futacs once again preferred ahead of Dave Kitson. Former Blackpool player Luke Varney remained sidelined with injury.
The home team, flying high in the Championship and through to the 5th round of the FA Cup where they will meet Everton at Goodison Park, fielded former Pompey favourite Lomana LuaLua.
The game kicked off at 5:20PM in front of the Sky TV cameras but that didn't deter the Pompey fans from travelling with over 1,500 making the long trip to the North West; many making a long weekend of it and quite a few were in fancy dress.
There was a real party atmosphere in the East Stand which seems a strange thing to write considering all the off-field problems Pompey have suffered recently. But that is what it felt like.
With the temperature dropping quickly and the pitch cutting-up in places the playing conditions were tricky at times, with the ball bobbling around. However, credit where credit's due: both teams played their part in an enjoyable game of football.
Although Pompey were not over-awed they did take a while to get in to the game. Indeed they could have found themselves a goal down after LuaLua fired a free kick in to the penalty box which was deflected in to the goal. However, the home fans' cheers soon diminished when they realised that the referee's assistant had flagged for an offside decision.
Marko Futacs was looking quite lively up front for Pompey and was able to get off a couple of shots. The first was well blocked by a defender. The second, an ugly attempt, was skewered wide across the face of goal.
Both Lawrence and Mullins were having good games in the Pompey midfield and Huseklepp, who always springs in to life with the ball at his feet, started to come in to the game more often as the half progressed.
Just before the half-time interval Pompey took the lead after some good work down the right hand side by Tal Ben Haim and Kelvin Etuhu. The ball was crossed in to the box for Futacs to get away his shot, which was parried across his goal by Matthew Gilks to Huseklepp who swivelled well in the six yard box to score.
There was a big celebration by the Pompey players in front of their fans in the East Stand.
HT: Blackpool 0-1 Portsmouth
Pompey had a number of chances after the break to extend their lead but all were spurned. Huseklepp in particular was profligate: losing control of the ball when one-on-one and in a good position; misplacing a pass and unable to find other Pompey players in good positions; and finally getting off a shot but it was just too weak to trouble Gilks.
Futacs also had a good chance but he saw his shot hit the upright and deflect away to safety.
Ian Holloway made three substitutes in less than ten minutes in an attempt to liven things up for the home team - a ploy also used by Darren Ferguson at Peterborough in Pompey's last away match.
The pressure was building and Pompey were coming under more and more pressure from their hosts it was therefore no surprise when they equalised.
Greg Halford, playing at left back, conceded a free kick just outside the penalty area to the right hand side of the goal and Stephen Crainey whipped in a terrific strike past Stephen Henderson and in to the top corner.
In his post-match comments Pompey manager Michael Appleton described referee Mr Madley's decision to award the free kick for a foul on Alex Baptiste as 'a soft one' - he wasn't wrong. Unfortunately, Halford had been under a pressure a couple of times in the match in this unfamiliar position and Blackpool were clearly doing their best to exploit that.
There was one other significant moment before the final whistle, Stephen Henderson again showed why he is attracting admiring glances from other clubs, with a fine save to deny substitute Ludovic Sylvestre. Henderson might yet make the Ireland squad to the 2012 European Championship on this form.
On reflection this was a good point for Pompey against a Blackpool team that is coming in to form at just the right time in the season.
Blackpool are not playing with the same attacking verve and panache that lit up The Premier League last season. However, Ian Holloway has got them in to contention for the play-offs at just the right time.
Blackpool have built up momentum and who's to say they won't be able to continue with that and go back up again following last season's relegation heartache?
At the other end of the table, Pompey's fate might eventually be sealed off the pitch but there is currently a real show of public togetherness on display between the players and the fans which is great to witness and be a part of.
The next few days will be pivotal.
FT: Blackpool 1-1 Portsmouth
Midfield action pictures
Portsmouth versus Blackpool: Stephen Henderson, Tal Ben Haim, Ricardo Rocha, Jason Pearce, Greg Halford, Kelvin Etuhu, Liam Lawrence, Hayden Mullins, Joel Ward, Erik Huseklepp, Marko Futacs (replaced by Dave Kitson on 79 minutes). Substitutes: Jamie Ashdown, Aaron Mokoena, Adam Webster and Benjani.
Pompey MOTM: the Sky TV cameras gave it to Liam Lawrence, however I would have given it to Ricardo Rocha who was excellent at the back.
Attendance: 12,545 (over 1200 Pompey fans made the trip).
Source: www.portsmouthfc.co.uk
Next up for Pompey: Ipswich Town at Fratton Park on Tuesday 14th February 2012 at 7:45PM
BlueThruAndThru
