Pompey and Preston shared the spoils at a sun drenched Fratton Park in this Championship encounter a result which did nothing to enhance either team's main objective. Preston remain in relegation danger and Pompey are no closer to the play-off positions.
Ian Hume's first-half opener for the visitors was cancelled out by a Greg Halford header in the second.
Pompey were forced to make two changes from the team that played against Reading. Ricardo Rocha served a one match ban following his sending off against the Royals and was replaced in the back four by South African Club captain Aaron Mokoena. Liam Lawrence failed to train on Friday with a hamstring injury and Joel Ward replaced the Irish international. Dave Kitson took over the skipper's armband for the match ahead of The Axe.
Both sides had chances during the opening minutes. On loan Fulham striker Eddie Johnson for the visitors and Ward and David Nugent for the home team. Johnson shot wide of the target and although Ward and Nugent got shots on target the Preston goalkeeper wasn't really troubled making comfortable stops.
Ward looked lively in the opening quarter of the match showing good energy levels to get high up the pitch often beyond Kitson.
For the visitors Canadian Ian Hume often caught the eye and looked the liveliest player on the pitch putting the Pompey defence, especially the out of touch Mokoena, under pressure. This was highlighted on eleven minutes when Mokoena slipped to allow Hume to shoot from distance at goal but the ball went well wide and into the Fratton End.
After a bright opening the game descended into stalemate with the occasional effort on goal but nothing to really trouble either keeper.
Just after the half hour the deadlock was broken by that man Hume. With arms raised in the Pompey defence for offside Hume latched on to a pass from Johnson and struck it past Jamie Ashdown with aplomb. A goal made in and delivered from North America: Hume's sixth in six games. It was also a goal that highlighted just how uncertain Pompey's defence is when Ricardo Rocha doesn't play.
Pompey responded well and won a throw-in down the left hand side. Greg Halford launched one of his long-range efforts in to the box which was flicked on by Mokoena to the back post where David Cotterill headed it home. Unfortunately, the linesman had his flag up for offside something that TV replays after the game showed was a mistake: Cotterill was onside and the 'goal' should have stood. Pompey don't seem to be getting the rub of the green at present and went in at half-time a goal down.
HT: Portsmouth 0-1 Preston North End
Whereas Pompey had looked slightly disjointed in the first half, certainly after the opening exchanges, they started the second with a little more purpose and threat on the Preston goal.
The visitors also had their moments with Keith Treacy forcing Jamie Ashdown in to action.
Ian Ashbee, on loan from Hull City, was a big presence in the middle of the park, not the most mobile of players but just the sort of man you need in a crisis.
Just before the hour mark Steve Cotterill decided to make changes with a double substitution. Firstly, replacing Mokoena with Carl Dickinson and pushing Hemann Hreidarsson in to the middle alongside Halford. Secondly, David Cotterill was replaced by Kanu.
The on-loan Welshman Cotterill has his moments down both flanks but he's often flattered to deceive. His main weakness is in the fifty-fifty challenge, dangling his foot without really going in to the challenge with any real conviction is never going to win him the ball and is more likely to see him emerge injured. It's a side of his game he needs to address as it's something he's been observed doing time and time again in his time on the South Coast.
The changes in personnel paid dividends. With Pompey winning a corner Hayden Mullins was pressed in to action – seemingly with reluctance - to deliver the ball in to the box. His cross was a good one and was met by the head of Greg Halford leaping high at the near post to put the home team level.
The move was almost repeated a few minutes later again Mullins delivered the ball in to the perfect position and Halford again got to the ball first with his head but on this occasion Preston keeper Turner saved on the line.
Mullins was getting in to the game more and more for Pompey and looked lively in the midfield outshining new father Jonathan Hogg who looked a little off the pace.
The away team continued to press and Hume was at the centre of the action. Firstly, he found himself free down the left hand side as Pompey tried to press forward for a winner. Instead of driving on goal and getting off a shot he drifted wide, crossed in to the box where the move broke down. Secondly, a few minutes later he wriggled free of his marker in the penalty area and unleased a shot which Ashdown was able to tip around the post to safety, diving to his right.
David Nugent had looked lively throughout the game against his former Club and had a number of chances in the second half – including a good effort from a free kick from outside the penalty box which he hit over the bar.
Nugent was eventually replaced by Danny Webber a few minutes from the final whistle, making his first appearance at Fratton Park since his recovery from injury. He got a good reception from the Fratton Faithful. Webber looks in good shape and who knows he may yet have a bigger part to play in Pompey's season.
With four minutes of added time neither team could find the breakthrough they wanted and the game ended in a draw.
The result saw Pompey fall one place in to 14th position, behind Ipswich Town on goal difference, both teams have fifty-five points. Preston remain in the mire on thirty-five points and seven off safety. Both teams have six games to play.
FT: Portsmouth 1-1 Preston North End
Attendance: 14,349
Portsmouth versus Preston North End: Jamie Ashdown, Ritchie De Laet, Greg Halford, Aaron Mokoena, Hermann Hreidarsson, Jonathan Hogg, Hayden Mullins, David Cotterill, Joel Ward, David Nugent, Dave Kitson. Substitutes: Daryll Flahavan, Carl Dickinson, Nadir Ciftci, Danny Webber, Kanu
MOTM: the official award went to Greg Halford.
Next up: Coventry City (h) on Tuesday 12th April at 7:45PM
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