Barcham and Atangana score for Blues
The Blues side contained plenty of first team experience and twice took the lead, only to be pegged back on each occasion.
And the same player should have done better moments later when he ended a flowing move by heading over the crossbar.
Poke then had to be at his best to turn a Charlie Walker shot around the post, but he could not keep out the forward’s low drive on 27 minutes.
But Atangana almost increased the lead midway through the first half, only to see his drive superbly saved by Luton keeper Elliot Justham.
Michael Poke was then called into action for the first time to keep out Shaun Whalley’s effort.
And the hosts were ahead just seconds later when a cross from the left evaded the Hatters defence and BARCHAM took a touch before lashing the ball home.
It was Pompey who made the brighter start and Atangana flashed a header narrowly wide after connecting with Ricky Holmes’ corner five minutes into the match.
Pompey 2 Luton 1 Half Time:
Barcham’s touch sent Miles Storey tearing down the left and his pin-point cross was converted by ATANGANA at the far post.
But after withstanding that spell of pressure, it was Pompey who scored again just before the break.
Both sides sensed that victory was within reach and both Barcham and Storey fired narrowly over at one end, while Whalley did the same at the other.
Referee Ben Knight awarded a penalty after Chad Field had tripped Whalley and the Luton player picked himself up to slam home the spot-kick.
But this time it was the visitors who absorbed the pressure prior to breaking away and scoring.
Pompey looked sharp at the start of the second half and won a couple of early corners before Storey saw his shot clawed away by Justham. Ben KnightReferee:
King, Galliford Subs not used:
Justham, Justin, Brown (Maguraushe 5), Doyle (Amadi 71), Perry, Whalley, Rees, Andoh, McGhan-George, Walker, Lafayette Luton:
Bass, Gill Subs not used:
Poke; Haunstrup, Webster, Field, Shorey; Awford (Nilsen 46), Atangana (Maloney 46); Barcham, Close, Holmes (Chaplin 71); Storey Pompey:
The defender’s shot appeared destined for the top corner, but Justham did brilliantly to tip the ball around the post and ensure a share of the spoils.
Pompey had one last opportunity to claim all three points when Adam Webster burst forward from inside his own half.