Pompey were forced to settle for a draw in an often breathless encounter with Burton at Fratton Park.

They looked stronger before the break and appeared comfortable after Oli Hawkins’ header had secured an interval advantage.

But Devante Cole and Jake Hesketh both netted at the start of the second half to leave the League One leaders stunned.

Matt Clarke soon nodded in an equaliser in a hectic period, although neither side was able to score again and snatch all three points.

Kenny Jackett made one change from the side that had beaten Fleetwood on home soil a few days earlier.

With Nathan Thompson’s wife having just given birth to a baby boy, Anton Walkes replaced him at right-back.

David Wheeler was named among the substitutes after recovering from an ankle problem that has kept him sidelined for the past three games.

A couple of Lee Brown crosses showed Pompey’s mentality in the opening stages, as they looked to get at their visitors.

Goalkeeper Dimitar Evtimov was then called into action for the first time, getting his fingertips to a rasping Ronan Curtis drive.

The hosts were on top and when Tom Naylor stole possession in the middle of the pitch, the midfielder picked out Ben Thompson.

His fierce drive was kept out by Evtimov and the stopper dived on the loose ball before Jamal Lowe could capitalise.

But Naylor collected a booking soon after following a late challenge on Stephen Quinn. It was his fifth league caution of the season, earning a one-match suspension.

It was a fairly quiet time for Craig MacGillivray in the Blues goal, although he came off his line to deny Jamie Allen.

Will Miller then wasted a decent opportunity by hitting a tame effort straight at the keeper after being picked out by Ben Fox.

And there was a blow for Pompey when Dion Donohue limped off with an injury, with Gareth Evans on to replace him.

It was generally proving to be a positive evening for the hosts, though, with Jack Whatmough and Evans both having half-chances.

And the Blues broke the deadlock on 36 minutes when Thompson swung in a fine cross from the right and HAWKINS charged in to head home from close range.

The closest that Albion came to levelling before the break was a shot from Kyle McFadzean, although that went out for a throw.

There was still time for another Pompey opportunity, however, and Evtimov did well to stop Lowe’s cross reaching Curtis.

Half Time: Pompey 1 Burton 0

But the Brewers started the second half strongly and Naylor had to slide bravely in to block Hesketh’s attempt.

The loose ball fell for Liam Boyce, however, and his shot was saved low to his left by a full-stretch MacGillivray.

An equaliser did arrive moments later, though, when Allen found Cole, who – having been brought on at the break – sent a neat finish nestling in the bottom corner.

And the Blues were left stunned on 52 minutes when Hesketh wriggled his way past a couple of challenges and hit a thunderous shot into the roof of the net.

The Fratton faithful raised the decibels to try to roar their side back into action and it seemed to have an effect.

Evans saw an effort blocked a few yards from the line, while Evtimov did well to keep out Lowe’s angled strike.

But the hosts were back on level terms on 57 minutes, with CLARKE rising highest in the box to convert an Evans corner.

Brett Pitman replaced Hawkins just past the hour mark, as Jackett opted to freshen up his forward line.

But it was Brown who had a chance to score when Lowe was brought down by Reece Hutchinson 20 yards out.

The left-back managed to send his free-kick through the wall, only for it to fly safely into the arms of Evtimov.

Pitman was then unable to make a connection with an attempted over-head kick after Whatmough’s long throw had been flicked on by Clarke.

A shot from Quinn at the other end lacked pace, but took a deflection and almost wrong-footed MacGillivray.

Both sides looked capable of scoring again, but it was Burton who almost grabbed a late winner following a quick break.

Cole tried to pick out an unmarked Lucas Akins in the box, with Naylor just about managing to intercept and MacGillivray diving on the loose ball.

Pompey (4-2-3-1): MacGillivray; Walkes, Whatmough, Clarke, Brown; Naylor (c), Donohue (Evans 28); Lowe, B.Thompson, Curtis; Hawkins (Pitman 64)
Goals: Hawkins 36, Clarke 57
Booked: Naylor
Subs not used: McGee, Burgess, Close, Wheeler, Mason

Burton (4-2-3-1): Evtimov; Akins (c), Brayford, McFadzean, Hutchinson; Quinn, Allen (Beardsley 90+3); Hesketh, Fox (Cole 46), Miller (Buxton 77); Boyce
Goals: Cole 48, Hesketh 52
Subs not used: Collins, Hodge, Harness, Sbarra

Referee: Andrew Madley

Attendance: 18,200 (156 away fans)