It was a top-of-the-table clash at Fratton Park that certainly lived up to its billing.
Pompey’s 2-2 draw with Derby had everything – great goals, an electric atmosphere, difficult weather conditions and even a pitch invasion by a lost fox.
Joe Ward twice gave the visitors the lead, but Abu Kamara completed a fine passing move to level the first time and Owen Moxon then came off the bench to hit a screamer.
The result ensured the hosts maintained a five-point advantage over their opponents at the League One summit.
And John Mousinho was fairly satisfied with his side’s efforts on a wet and windy night on the south coast.
The Blues boss said: “Having gone behind twice, it always feels a decent point and on the whole it was a pretty good performance against a top side.
“But for the way we dominated the ball, I’m slightly disappointed that we didn’t create a few more chances.
“Derby sat in and made it difficult for us to beak them down, then countered well with the pace of Mendez-Laing and Blackett-Taylor.
"We take the point and move on – but now we have to look to follow that up with a victory at the weekend."
“It was probably the loudest I’ve heard it at Fratton Park and the fans responded brilliantly whenever we fell behind.
“Our first goal was a brilliant move and the second was also excellent, albeit completely different with a strike from outside the box.
“You could see how difficult the conditions were – the wind was swirling around and it was incredibly wet.
“There were times when I thought it was in danger of being called off because it was getting boggy on the side, but the ground staff have done a fantastic job this season.
“We take the point and move on – but now we have to look to follow that up with a victory at the weekend.
“We obviously wanted to win the game. We’re still in a healthy position, however, and whenever we’ve drawn we look to win the next one.”
Lee Evans was handed his full debut in the centre of midfield, while a fit-again Tino Anjorin came off the bench to make a first appearance in almost four months.
Mousinho said: “I thought Lee was excellent on Friday and deserved to start, but we were always going to make a change after around an hour.
“It was great to see Tino back and it looked like a stonewall penalty near the end when he turned the defender in the box.”
