Portsmouth 0 Fleetwood 0: Neil Allen's verdict - Blues back in top two after 22-month wait, but still frustrating Fratton draw

Nonetheless, Pompey were back in League One’s automatic promotion spots – for the first time in 22 months.

Not since February 2019 had Kenny Jackett’s men occupied the top two, despite featuring in two play-off semi-finals since.

Yet a goalless draw against Fleetwood at Fratton Park marked their return to such lofty climes, albeit it’s still in December.

Successive 2-0 victories over Peterborough and Ipswich brought the Blues to this point. Unfortunately they were unable to establish a hat-trick of wins.

Regardless, there remained much to admire about Pompey against Fleetwood, even if the first half did yield seven yellow cards and a flailing refereeing display.

The edge – and the match – died down after the break, but Jackett’s men still offered the biggest threat and most encouraging approach play.

The truth was, however, not enough was created by the hosts against a well-drilled Fleetwood in the image of boss Joey Barton.

Unquestionably they would have been the more happy of the sides to claim a goalless draw as the Blues drew a rare blank.

Still, with defeats for Hull and Lincoln elsewhere, and Peterborough drawing to MK Dons, Pompey were allowed to climb a place.

And this evening they occupy second spot in League One, two points behind leaders Hull – their opposition on Friday evening.

In terms of selection, Cam Pring was entrusted with left-back responsibilities in the only change to the side which won against Ipswich and Peterborough in recent weeks.

It represented an obvious selection choice from Jackett, following Lee Brown’s hamstring tear in Saturday’s 2-0 success at Portman Road.

Pring came off the bench to deputise in that match – and retained the role for the visit of Joey Barton’s team.

Haji Mnoga was called onto the bench to take Pring’s substitute place, with Bryn Morris again not making the match-day 18.

In fact, with Brown the only presence on the treatment table currently, it was an almost full strength Blues squad.

The fans gathered in the Fratton end gave a rendition of ‘On Our Way’ at kick-off before Ronan Curtis was handed a fifth-minute opportunity.

John Marquis dug out a good cross from the right byline and it found its way to the Irishman, whose first-time right-footed shot lifted well over the bar.

At the other end, the Blues were caught flat footed, with Paddy Madden buzzing around to retrieve the ball and winning the game’s first corner.

On 11 minutes, a ferocious right-footed shot from Curtis was superbly stopped by keeper Jayson Leutwiler.

The determined Curtis raced into the box to retrieve the loose ball, only to poleaxe Wes Burns and earn a yellow card in the process.

Immediately play switched to the other end and a lovely move saw Wes Burns teed up for a first-time shot at the far post.

Craig MacGillivray superbly kept out the Fleetwood midfielder’s shot with his legs – sparking a Blues counter-attack through Pring.

The action roared towards the Milton end, with the left-back finding Williams, who eventually managed an angled drive which was finger-tipped out by the keeper.

It had been a breathless period, counter attack at pace, but after 17 minutes the occasion was still goalless.

Pompey were continuing to threaten and, following a good move, Curtis found Marquis’ run down the left channel, but the striker’s delivery from the byline was a poor one and too high.

Tom Naylor, still full of confidence following his recent scoring spree, then rattled off a half-volley from 30-yards which was nowhere near its target.

It was proving an entertaining affair and when Curtis crossed from the left on 28 minutes, Andy Cannon raced in to unleash a first-time drive which Mulhrew bravely hurled himself in front of to block.

Jack Whatmough became the latest Blues player to be booked following a foul on Sam Finley and in the aftermath Madden was also given a yellow card.

Still referee Alan Young continued cautioning, this time Williams following a trip on Jordan Rossiter during a break.

On 36 minutes, the Blues broke and Marcus Harness found himself central before slipping through Marquis down the right.

The striker twisted and turned, before firing a shot from inside the box comfortably over the bar.

Harness was booked in the 41st minute after becoming frustrated at not being given a foul and lunging in on Finley as revenge.

He wasn’t alone, with Danny Andrews also yellow carded for pushing Harness in the dust up afterwards.

Barely a minute later, Andrews was punished for hauling Marquis back as the striker attempted to receive the ball.

Referee Young decided against awarding another yellow card to the left-back, who can count himself extremely fortunate to still be on the pitch.

With half-time approaching, Harness’ testing cross from the right deflected and drifted past the far post for a corner while begging to be converted.

There were no substitutions at the break for either side, while Pompey re-emerged with a decent start to the second half, albeit little threat.

Certainly it was the hosts offering more danger, although the edge of the opening 45 minutes appeared to have subsided.

Jackett made his first substitution on the hour mark, with Ellis Harrison replacing Williams to partner Marquis in attack.

Following defeats for Hull and Lincoln earlier in the night, there was the realisation at Fratton Park that victory would take the Blues top.

First they had to find a way through and Curtis went close with a low shot which fizzed past the near post, but the keeper had it covered all the way.

Referee Young was at the centre of another controversy when he ruled a Fleetwood player had passed it back to his keeper with a knee.

A furious Barton and two of his staff surrounded the fourth official, while the referee, clear now under pressure, decided to consult his linesman - before overruling himself.

On 73 minutes, Curtis was replaced by Michael Jacobs, while Fleetwood introduced James Hill for Barrie McKay.

It was developing into a half of few chances, although Marquis did see a right-footed snapshot deflect for a corner.

Some of Fratton Park cheered on 85 minutes believing Harness had stolen a dramatic winner, only for it to soon dawn it had in fact struck the sidenetting.

Fleetwood went even closer, with Callum Connolly’s back-post header from a free-kick somehow beaten out brilliantly by MacGillivray.

There was to be no breakthrough for either side as a goalless was shared at Fratton Park.

However, League One has a new side in second place after 18 games – Pompey.