Pompey draw with Peterborough to extend ten-match unbeaten run

Portsmouth’s six-match winning streak came to an end after Mohamed Eisa’s close-range header 15 minutes from time snatched Peterborough a 2-2 draw at Fratton Park.

Peterborough started the brighter, dictating the early proceedings and quieting down the home support. Ivan Toney continued his fine run of goal-scoring form when he opened the scoring following a miscued clearance from Oli Hawkins.

While Pompey struggled for rhythm in the first half, they did snatch an equaliser when Lee Brown’s low free-kick crept under the wall.

Ellis Harrison put Pompey in front after the break before Mo Eisa drew level with Toney on 13 goals for the season in the 75th minute.

Pompey remain in tenth place following the draw while the league’s top scorers Peterborough stay in the automatic promotion places on goal difference.

Despite beginning the campaign as favourites for automatic promotion, Portsmouth’s position highlights something of a resurgence for Kenny Jackett’s men.

Their first 11 league matches amassed just three wins, with a 4-0 defeat to bitter south coast rivals Southampton compounding Pompey’s issues. But results have since picked up and they remain unbeaten in ten matches.

Prior to kick-off, the Posh travelled south averaging more than two goals a game but also having the leakiest defence out of the top 15 teams.

In the ninth minute, Ivan Toney grabbed his 13th and Peterborough’s 41st goal of the season. Dan Butler’s whipped cross was misjudged by Pompey defender Oli Hawkins, who failed to get meaningful contact on his clearance. Toney, the league’s top scorer, was on hand at the back-post to tap home and give the Posh the lead.

After the hosts slow start, Fratton Park was beginning to grow frustrated. Despite being up against a notoriously fragile visiting defence, the first 25 minutes saw Pompey toothless in the final third, unable to fashion any meaningful openings.

But as they so often do in the football league, a set-piece provided the answer when Lee Brown’s low strike 19-yards out got the south coast side back on terms. Drilling the ball hard and under the wall, the full-back’s effort rocketed past the outstretching Christy Pym in the visitors net.

A minute later, the Cambridgeshire-outfit almost retook the lead.

Craig MacGillivray was forced into action after a free-kick caused havoc in the Pompey box. The ball made its way to Frenkie Kent at the back-post, but was unable to guide his snap-shot either side of goalkeeper.

Seconds after the break, John Marquis could and should have put the home side in front. After beating the offside trap, the forward scuffed his close-range shot into the ground, unable to test the travelling goalkeeper, Christy Pym.

The let-off would not serve as a wake-up call for Darren Ferguson’s men as Pompey went ahead.

A communication breakdown in the Peterborough defence allowed Ellis Harrison to steal in and fire towards goal. The relatively tame effort went underneath the body of Pym and rolled slowly into the back of the net.

With the home crowd now in full, hostile voice, Peterborough were left reeling. The ebbs and flows of the game had taken its toll on the visitors, who were showing signs of falling apart. It had turned into an aggressive, scrappy affair, something Pompey players and supporters typically thrive in.

But in a theme that was on display throughout the 90 minutes, the match took yet another twist.

In the 75th minute, Peterborough levelled when a hopeful cross was sent into the Pompey box. Mo Eisa, left unmarked at the near post, headed in to restore parity.

That would prove to be the last action of any note as both sides huffed and puffed without reward. It was a tight, intense tussle where the two should be content with a point apiece.

Team Lineups:

Portsmouth (4-2-3-1): MacGillivray; Haunstrup (McCrorie 92′), Burgess, Hawkins, Brown; Close, Naylor (c); Williams (Harness 75′), Marquis, Curtis, Harrison

Substitutes unused: Bass, Walkes, Downing, Evans, Pitman

Peterborough (5-3-2): Pym;  Mason (Tasdemir 63′), Thompson, Beevers (c), Kent, Butler; Reed, Woodyard, Kanu; Eisa (Jones 90′), Toney

Substitutes unused: Chapman, Bennett, Cartwright, Barker, Burrows

Attendance: 17,643 (531 away)