Pompey started the season with consecutive stalemates after being unable to break down Lincoln at Fratton Park.
There were not too many clear-cut opportunities at either end of the pitch on the hot and sunny south coast.
Reeco Hackett came closest to securing all three points for the Blues, but in truth, Carl Rushworth was not tested enough between the sticks.
Danny Cowley made one change from the side that took a point from an eventful encounter at Sheffield Wednesday the previous week.
It came wide on the attacking right, where Ronan Curtis dropped to the bench to make way for Hackett.
The crowd were introduced to new signing Tom Lowery, who had signed too late on Friday to feature in the game.
Pompey showcased some neat footwork in the opening stages, although the heat quickly sapped energy levels.
There was nothing much to trouble either keeper in the opening stages, although a Michael Jacobs drive was comfortably dealt with by Rushworth.
Referee David Rock paused the contest on 19 minutes, so the crowd and players could show their respect for baby Maximus Linter, who tragically passed away in June.
Pompey continued to push forward as the first half progressed and a couple of clever Hackett passes had to be intercepted.
The same player then saw his low curler gathered by Rushworth following some neat play between Colby Bishop and Jacobs.
It was the Blues finishing the half with a flourish and Rushworth dived to his left to keep out a Joe Pigott free-kick.
A left-sided delivery from Connor Ogilvie was then cleverly left by Bishop for Hackett, whose shot was blocked.
The ball bounced up for the forward to have a second attempt, although his acrobatic half-volley went over.
Half Time: Pompey 0 Lincoln 0
A dangerous Pigott cross from the left soon after the restart had to be clawed to safety by Rushworth.
But the match was still lacking a spark to lift it from its slumbers, with the warm conditions likely playing their part.
Cowley introduced fresh energy from the bench just past the hour mark, as Pigott and Hackett made way for Dane Scarlett and Curtis.
The Blues were still trying to force a breakthrough, but Joe Rafferty could not find the target after a Jacobs free-kick had been cleared into his path.
Another switch soon followed for the hosts, with Louis Thompson being replaced in the engine room by Jay Mingi.
Both sides then had chances in quick succession, starting with Adam Jackson heading a corner into the side netting – although some of the away fans thought it had gone in.
Michael Morrison soon launched a long pass for Scarlett to collect, but the loanee was unable to beat Rushworth from a tight angle.
Cowley’s final switch was a like-for-like one in the right-back position, with Zak Swanson coming on for Rafferty to make his debut.
Scarlett had a shot blocked, while Morrison’s header from a long Marlon Pack throw flew straight into Rushworth’s arms.
The display of eight additional minutes lifted the Fratton faithful, but the Blues were unable to find a late winner.
Pompey (4-4-2): Griffiths; Rafferty (Swanson 81), Morrison, Raggett (c), Ogilvie; Hackett (Curtis 62), Thompson (Mingi 70), Pack, Jacobs; Pigott (Scarlett 62), Bishop
Subs not used: Oluwayemi, Freeman, Mnoga
Lincoln (4-3-3): Rushworth; Eyoma, O’Connor, Poole, Robson; Sanders, Sørensen, Oakley-Boothe; Adelakun (Jackson 77), Hopper (c), Bishop (Maguire 72)
Booked: Sanders, Sørensen
Subs not used: Wright, Roughan, Worsfold-Gregg, Makama, Kendall
Referee: David Rock
Attendance: 17,855 (481 away fans)