Own-goal salvages point for Pompey
And Pompey secured a point late on when Tiff Taylor’s low cross forced Kate O’Leary to divert the ball into her own net.
But the Blues looked much brighter in the second half, with Nadine Bazan and Sarah Kempson both going close to snatching an equaliser.
They struggled before the break and fell behind when Lucin Padilla beat two defenders and slotted past Sadie Blakely.
Pompey Ladies fought from behind to snatch a 1-1 draw at Tottenham.
“We fought back to score the equaliser, though, and it was a dangerous cross from Tiff – I’m sure one of our players would have scored if their player hadn’t got their first.
“But we didn’t really show up for the first half and I was really disappointed with the level of our performance.
Blues boss Perry Northeast said: “Both managers agreed afterwards that a draw was probably the fair result.
But they were reduced to 10 players moments later, with Leeta Rutherford’s foul earning her a second booking.
“It shows you how high our ambitions are that we’re frustrated to only come away with a draw from such a tough game. Blakely; Taylor, Goodall, Rutherford, Bazan; Kempson, Bloomfield (Sievwright 71), Clark (Umotong 65); Quinn (Frampton 86), Wilson (c), HillierPompey:
“The table still makes good reading for us and we’re already a third of the way through the season, although it’s incredible tight at the top.”