by Neil Weld
Pompey had to settle for a draw against top-of-the-table West Ham after conceding 13 minutes from time at the Wellington Sports ground.
Dominic Vose had given the Hammers the lead, but the Blues hit back with an Ashley Harris (pictured) penalty and George Colson strike giving them an interval lead.
However, Blair Turgott converted Vose’s low cross late in the game to deny Pompey victory.
Academy manager Andy Awford said: “I was pleased with the overall performance – we matched a very good West Ham side.
“They got in front and we could have crumbled, but credit to our lads for sticking to their tasks.
“We got a fortunate penalty that Ashley did well to convert and then I was really pleased with our second goal. We got the ball out wide with overlapping full-backs, put a good ball into the box and there were people waiting to put it away. It was a move straight off the training ground.
“When you go in ahead at the break you’re obviously hoping to win the game, but when West Ham equalised we didn’t collapse as we might have done in the past.
“There were chances at both ends in the final few minutes, but I think a draw was probably the fair result.”
Pompey: Lawrence; Warren, Webster (c), Grant, Butler; Branford, Colson (Triggs 51), Awford; Wallace, Maloney (Higgins 62); Harris (Jennings 88)
Subs not used: Vine, Fitzharris
West Ham: Larkins; Siafa, Potts (c), K.Lee, Shaw (Chambers 60); Miles, Turgott, Powell (Hurley 65); Sadlier, Vose; E.Lee
Subs not used: Cowler, Young, Bywater