Portsmouth 2 Burton 2: Neil Allen's verdict - Boos ring out as questions raised over promotion credentials

The Blues’ defensive selection has been increasingly unconvincing in recent weeks – and they were two goals down after just six minutes against Burton.

Granted, there was a comeback, Brett Pitman’s penalty securing a 2-2 draw with the penultimate kick of the League One encounter.

Yet the display raised many more questions than it answered as Kenny Jackett’s lacklustre side struggled to respond, despite possessing a numerical advantage for the final 66 minutes.

The half-time introduction of Gareth Evans finally injected energy – as did another substitute Andy Cannon – yet the performance was wholly unconvincing.

It was a fightback but hardly thrilling and not befitting a team supposedly meant to be surpassing last term’s fourth-placed finish.

Indeed, had it not been for Ryan Edwards barging over substitute Ellis Harrison after four minutes of time added on, it would have been another defeat to rival Coventry in the discontent generated.

As it was, the recalled Pitman stepped up to level – but the boos from the home support at the final whistle told their own tale.

Joe Sbarra’s opener and Kieran Wallace’s deflected shot from condemned Jackett’s men to a nightmare start – then the visitors had John-Joe O’Toole dismissed for two bookable offences.

Not that it could stir Pompey into action, as they limped in at half-time 2-1 down after Ronan Curtis reduced the deficit.

A patient Fratton faithful had to wait until time added on for the equaliser – and a point was saved.

Pompey had got themselves out of jail and the team selection for Saturday’s trip to Wycombe is anyone’s guess as this fitful start to the campaign drags worryingly on.

It had been 18 days since the Blues’ last League One outing – a 1-1 draw at Blackpool – with two cup matches in between.

For the visit of Burton, there were two changes to that Bloomfield Road starting line-up, with Pitman and Ryan Williams introduced.

Marcus Harness’ thigh injury, which Jackett claims will also deny his presence in next week’s south-coast derby, opened up a spot on the right flank.

That was handed to Williams, marking a full debut in his second Pompey spell, following a 19-minute comeback cameo against Norwich City under-21s.

Meanwhile, the recalling of Pitman was warmly received by the Fratton faithful before kick-off, the striker replacing Cannon in the number-10 role.

It represented the former Pompey captain’s maiden start of a campaign which saw him named on the bench for all nine previous fixtures in all competitions.

Elsewhere, Craig MacGillivray, Ross McCrorie and Curtis all came straight back into the team following international duty.

Meanwhile, Christian Burgess remained at right-back, with his rival and likely successor, fit-again James Bolton, on the bench.

The substitutes also included Evans, back following concussion and then a dead leg, and Oli Hawkins, who returned to the squad in the 3-1 win over the Canaries in the Leasing.com Trophy.

It took just three minutes for the visitors to take the lead and stun Fratton Park.

Lucas Akins cut in from the right, shadowed by Tom Naylor, and he pushed it out wide to Wallace, whose cross was initially blocked by Williams.

But it fell to Sbarra, who struck a first-time left-footed shot into the far corner.

Pompey found themselves 2-0 down after six minutes when a wicked deflection wrong-footed MacGillivray.

Wallace was allowed time and space to fire in an effort from 30 yards, which struck P