Sunderland's Allan Johnston struck an equaliser with seven minutes remain to deny Pompey what would have been a great victory. The midfielder has now scored three goals in three games against Pompey including the winner up at the Stadium of Light last season. The points looked as though they were Pompey's after they outclassed their visitors in the first half with some outstanding passing and movement. However, increased Sunderland pressure in the second half eventually ended in an equaliser.
Adrian Whitbread had recovered from a virus to play which meant Alan Ball kept the same side which went out of the Worthington Cup to Wimbledon. Before the game started there was a minutes silence for the death of former chairman Jim Gregory, but sadly somebody in the Sunderland end broke the silence by shouting which was greeted by boos from the home fans after the minute.
It was a fast and furious start with Claridge almost getting in behind the Sunderland defence, but Melville was there to mop up the danger. The first corner of the day went to Sunderland after a Mullin shot had deflection off Awford, making his 250th league appearance. That came to nothing and Pompey regained possession.
In the 20th minute Sunderland's young striker Bridges went on a brilliant mazy run before laying a pass off to Mullin who couldn't find the target. A minute later Pompey were in the lead with a fine goal. Peron found Simpson on the left who completely fooled Williams before chipping over a cross which Igoe lobbed over Sorensen to put Pompey in the lead.
Aaron Flahavan made his first real demanding save when he got down to save Gray's low, skidding, shot from 20-yards. Yet Pompey thought they had scored a second when Aloisi sent Igoe through on goal. The little midfielder put the ball into the net but the goal was wiped out for a very close offside decision.
Fitzroy Simpson was going at Williams again and this time the Sunderland man crudely brought the Jamaican down which resulted in a yellow card for the right back. Igoe then proved that he can get back and defend when he did very well to stop Johnston in the area before he had a shot a goal.
Just before half-time Flahavan produced a magnificent save to keep Pompey in the lead. The lanky Dichio headed down for Bridges six yards out but Flahavan saved the youngster's shot from point blank range. The impressive goal keeper though was not the only Pompey playing better than average, Alan McLoughlin was having a storming game in midfield alongside the battling duo of Peron and Igoe.
Pompey had a great chance to double their lead early in the second half. Claridge slipped a pass to the rampaging Simpson down the left and he played a return pass to the striker. He wriggled past a challenge and looked certain to score, but held his head in his hands when the ball deflected inches wide.
The dangerous Gray was being allowed to surge forward and the fans in the Milton End couldn't believe it when one of his crosses was missed by Flahavan and no one was around to finish.
Yet it could have been all over when the excellent Simpson charged forward and found Aloisi in the area. However, his first touch was poor allowing the defence to get back and close him down, but the home crowd appealed for a penalty when a challenge brought him down. Referee Jim Brandwood waved away the protests from the Pompey players.
Sunderland thought they had equalised when in the 78th minute Melville headed in Johnston corner but the goal was disallowed for pushing by the defender. Sunderland piled on the pressure again but they were almost hit on the counter attack. Peron charged forward from his own half before laying off a pass to Claridge. The striker had only the keeper in front of him but his control was very poor and the ball rolled away for a goal kick.
That was Claridge's last action of the game as he was replaced by Hillier with Ball looking to make sure Pompey didn't give anything away. A minute later though the visitors were level. Johnston picked up the ball in the area and from 16-yards curled in a fine shot beyond Flahavan's desperate dive.
The keeper then produced another great save when he got down smartly to palm a Dichio header behind for a corner. Pompey scrambled that to safety and that was to be the last attacking moment of the game. On paper a 1-1 draw against a team second in the league is a good result, but those who were at Fratton Park will know that was not the case as Pompey played some brilliant football to make their visitors look anything but promotion favourites.