A third goal of the season for Marcus Harness ensured that Pompey deservedly led at the interval against Blackpool.
But their opponents improved in the second and Armand Gnanduillet’s header meant the points were shared at Bloomfield Road.
Kenny Jackett was pleased with the way his troops recovered from a shaky period of the contest to ensure they did not leave empty-handed.
And he also reserved special praise for the 1,816 Pompey fans who made the long trip up to the north-west.
The Blues boss said: “This is a difficult place to come and they’re very buoyant at the moment, although our fans were great as well.
“They travelled all the way up to Blackpool and backed us throughout, which I really am very grateful for.
“We were thoroughly deserving of our lead in the first half because we played very well and were the better side.
“Our opponents came back after the break, though, and I thought we looked leggy. It was a period that you didn’t think we’d get through.
"We were thoroughly deserving of our lead in the first half because we played very well and were the better side."
“It was a powerful header from Gnanduillet and he could have scored more, but you have to get through those difficult stages.
“We weren’t really at the races and they dominated us, but Ellis Harrison and Anton Walkes came on and helped us physically, giving us more of a threat on the counter.
“In the last 20 minutes we had some breaks that saw us get into good situations with goalscoring opportunities.”
Harness limped off before half-time and Jackett is praying that the summer signing will not be out of action for long.
He said: “It’s some form of thigh strain and we’re hoping it’s not too bad because he’s settled in well and has scored goals right from the off.
“He was a good outlet for us down the right-hand side in one-on-one situations – as he has been since he came here.
“We’ll have to see because it’s very hard for me to assess things straight after the game. He obviously felt it enough to need to come off.”