Portsmouth 1 Shrewsbury 1

The hitman's 87th-minute penalty cancelled out Greg Docherty's 74th-minute strike to keep up the unbeaten start to the campaign for Kenny Jackett's side.

The winless Shrews looked to be on their way to a battling victory as Docherty struck with his first touch after coming on as sub, following a mistake by Christian Burgess.

But Nathan Thompson went to ground right on the edge of the box with three minutes left as Alex Gilliead challenged and referee Charles Breakspear pointed to the spot '“ allowing Pitman to dispatch a powerful low effort.

Both teams had strong penalty appeals not given as the Blues made it seven league games without a loss.

John Askey's men will feel hard done by, though, as they proved the better side in the first half before making the breakthrough.

Pompey upped their game after the break when sending on David Wheeler and Ben Close.

But Josh Coleman saved brilliantly from Gareth Evans' header in the best of Pompey's chances before the two goals arrived.

Pompey had the game's first chance as Jamal Lowe's 20 yarder was turned around the post in the second minute.

But the visitors were allowed to grow in confidence from there as the Blues struggled to break down their compact line-up.

There was a let off in the eighth minute as Lenell John-Lewis couldn't direct his shot on target from Shaun Whalley's cross.

Then Whalley and Omar Beckles smashed 25 yarders just wide as the Shrews began to enjoy some territory.

Ollie Norburn dispossessed Tom Naylor and fed John-Lewis 10 minutes before the break but the striker rushed his shot from the edge of the box and the ball flew over.

The impressive Anthony Grant then flashed a shot just wide from outside the box in a half when the visitors came out on top.

Ben Close and David Wheeler were introduced for Ben Thompson and Andre Green at the break in an effort to change the game's dynamic.

Wheeler certainly perked things up for Pompey with a brighter restart which lifted the flat air at Fratton Park.

The visitors had a strong penalty shout turned down in the 61st minute as Gilliead was challenged by Lee Brown, but both the ref and nearby assistant didn't give the decision.

Brown responded by hitting a 30 yarder at goal which wasn't far wide in the 64th minute

Then Coleman made an excellent stop to keep out Evans' header to his left from Nathan Thompson's cross.

Close was the next to fire just wide before the standout Hawkins was replaced by Pitman.

The nightmare moment arrived for Burgess with 16 minutes left as a high ball flicked off his head and droped to Docherty, who finished with his first touch after coming on as a sub.

There were strong appeals for a Pompey penalty not given with eight mintues left as Pitman went to ground with Josh Emmanuel in close proximity, but the referee again waved play on.

But then came the leveller with three minutes left as Nathan Thompson went down on the edge of the box and the referee pointed to the spot, allowing Pitman to powerfully level.

Up went the noise from that point as Pompey pushed for the winner, but there was no further goals through five minutes of stoppage-time.