Harry Jewitt-White found the target as a youthful Pompey XI drew 1-1 with Bognor at Nyewood Lane.

There were plenty of chances for both sides in an entertaining encounter that was often played at 100 miles per hour.

But the only goals arrived in the first half, with Nick Dembele’s opener cancelled out by Jewitt-White.

It was a mixed side named by the visitors, made up of those professionals who did not start at Leyton Orient and some academy players.

The first half was often a frantic affair, with both sides looking to get forward, but too often let down by the final ball.

Zak Swanson was proving an effective presence down the right and a dangerous low centre was blocked by the legs of former Blues keeper Taylor Seymour.

There was also a spot of pinball in the area at the other end of the pitch before Jack Fox was eventually able to hack clear.

The hosts were looking more likely to break the deadlock, though, and Tom Chalaye fired over from the edge of the box to end a neat move.

And Bognor did go ahead on 20 minutes, with Dembele following up to score after Toby Steward had kept out Isaac Olaniyan’s initial effort.

Pompey looked to hit back and Swanson’s low cross was just out of reach for Dan Gifford, while Craig Robson made a timely challenge to deny Jewitt-White.

And when Alfie Bridgman curled the ball towards the top corner from the angle of the box, Seymour made a superb save to turn it over.

The leveller did arrive on 38 minutes, with JEWITT-WHITE arriving in the box to slot home a deep Harvey Laidlaw cross from the left.

Both sides continued to attack and the Rocks should have restored their advantage just before the break.

Josh McCormick delivered the ball from the right, but Tom Bragg’s header bounced down into the turf and over the bar.

Half Time: Bognor 1 Pompey 1

There was no let-up once the action restarted and the contest continued to be played at a frenetic pace.

The Rocks had a great chance to go ahead when McCormick cut the ball back for Chalaye, whose effort was brilliantly kept out by the diving Steward.

Gifford was inches away from connecting with Jewitt-White’s centre at the other end, with referee Alex Bradley not agreeing that he had been tugged back.

The Pompey fans inside Nyewood Lane were soon treated to a first sight of new signing Josh Oluwayemi, who replaced Steward between the sticks.

Each side then came close to gifting the other a goal, with Nathan Odokonyero unable to take advantage for Bognor by curling just past the post.

The favour was soon returned, but when Gifford squared for Jewitt-White, a well-placed Calvin Davies cleared from the line.

Oluwayemi’s first involvement saw him dive low to his left to keep out Robson’s header on 71 minutes.

There were plenty more attacks in the closing stages, but neither side were able to find a late winner.

The closest the fans came to seeing a settler arrived at the death, with Oluwayemi clawing away Robson’s header before it could find the top corner.

Bognor (4-4-2): Seymour; McCormick (Dunn 80), Bragg (Howick 67), Robson (c), Rabetts (Kelly 73); De La Croix, Davies (Briffa 80), Olaniyan (Holland 67), Lethbridge (Whyte 46); Chalaye (Odokonyero 58), Dembele (Bell 58)
Goals: Dembele 20
Sub not used: Crane

Pompey (4-1-4-1): Steward (Oluwayemi 64); Swanson, Fox, Vincent, Laidlaw; Mingi (c); Bridgman, Jewitt-White, Tunnicliffe, Hurst; Gifford
Goals: Jewitt-White 38
Subs not used: Simpson, Murray, Quarm, Payce, Aston

Referee: Alex Bradley