Portsmouth 2 Plymouth 2: Neil Allen's verdict - Struggling strikers the glaring problem as quarreling centre-halves bail out Blues

The blurry picture was a freeze-frame, snapped from film footage upon the instant his header connected with Marcus Harness’ excellent right-wing cross.

His argument was compelling, although James Bolton was equally as adamant the late, late leveller had actually arrived off his forehead.

Not even numerous television replays could comprehensively settle the deliberation, as two honest pros devoid of ego vied for goal recognition.

Regardless of the scorer’s identity, Pompey had struck twice in the final four minutes to claim a point during a remarkable finale against visiting Plymouth Argyle.

Substitute Ronan Curtis initiated the recovery – and a centre-half completed the fightback. Whatever his name may be.

The fact defenders Bolton and Raggett were jostling for heroic status was another damning indictment on the form of the Blues strikeforce charged with firing Pompey into the Championship.

For the second successive game, Kenny Jackett paired John Marquis and Ellis Harrison in attack in a conventional 4-4-2 system.

And against Plymouth – as at Charlton in midweek – they were Pompey’s most ineffectual attacking performers, despite their team totalling five goals in their presence.

The concept of a two-pronged forward line has been well received by supporters. Indeed, many have long championed its introduction, irrespective of the Blues being League One’s top scorers.

However, the concern is the occupants – Marquis and Harrison – are clearly scratching around for goal-scoring form, while the only other candidate can’t even make the bench.

Neither can be faulted for work-rate, team ethic and a willingness to press from the front, thereby forcing opponents into mistakes and hurried passes.

Yet their goal return, individually and collectively, is presently well below par. Neither is it a particularly recent headache.

Marquis, once League One’s leading scorer, has managed two goals in his last 14 appearances in all competitions.

As for Harrison, his last in the league was a penalty against MK Dons in early October – four months ago.

In fairness to Harrison, the former Ipswich man’s excellent aerial ability and strong hold-up play enable him to contribute by other means through the inevitable striker droughts.

In the case of Marquis, goals are pivotal to his game’s effectiveness. Remove his output for sizeable periods and it impacts upon the team.

Granted, the ex-Doncaster man has registered 11 times in the league this term and produced four assists, placing him fifth in goal charts led by Luke Jephcott, who incidentally struck twice at Fratton Park on Saturday.

Doubling that over the remaining 21 fixtures will see him comfortably surpass the magical 20-goal mark for the Blues, an outstanding haul.

Yet since a six-week flurry of 10 in 11 matches from mid-October, his chief attribute has been significantly lacking in a team otherwise not short of goals.

Indeed, in the past week, Pompey have netted five times through contributions from two wingers, two central midfielders and a central defender.

The obvious replacement for either Marquis or Harrison or both is Jordy Hiwula.

Yes, the same Hiwula who watched Saturday’s proceedings from the South Stand, having failed to make a squad for the fourth consecutive match and been handed 10 minutes of league action in his entire Pompey career.

If the former Coventry man is present to provide striking competition, his ongoing omission is puzzling considering his rivals are struggling to perform.

Jackett’s preference for two defenders, two midfielders and two attacking players on the bench ensures there is presently no place in the 18-man squad for Hiwula.

Certainly, Curtis and Ryan Williams must be included should they not infiltrate the starting XI – hence the 26-year-old’s ongoing omission.

Although, as a consequence, there is no natural centre-forward option off the bench in a match situation, instead asking Curtis or another winger to play an unfamiliar role.

As it was, against Plymouth, Curtis was pushed through the middle after introduced on the hour mark following injury to Michael Jacobs, with Harness wide on the right and then Harvey White on the left.

Had it not been for the Irishman’s energy and persistence, the Blues wouldn’t have even got a point against the Pilgrims, such was the importance of his entrance.

Still, let’s not lose focus on the concerning goal form of Harrison and Marquis – plus the lack of involvement of the only realistic replacement for either.

If Jackett wants to maintain his twin strikeforce, they need to improve their contribution considerably. It’s entirely possible, of course, yet the Blues need to be impatient.

Against the Pilgrims, Jackett’s men were made to pay for failing to take advantage of a first half in which they registered 11 corners and enjoyed their purple patch.

The visitors started brightly, commanding proceedings for the opening 15 minutes, yet once the Blues started forcing corners, Ryan Lowe’s side struggled to escape their half.

Pompey’s final ball should be criticised – and at half-time it was goalless, with Plymouth undoubtedly the most delighted.

Then, on 70 minutes, Marquis got in a mix up with Tom Naylor, Cannon was dispossessed and, when substitute Niall Ennis crossed from the right, Panutche Camara’s shot cannoned off the blocking bodies of several defenders, and fell invitingly to Jephcott.

From five yards out, he finished clinically, despite Pompey calls for offside.

There was controversy on 82 minutes when Callum Johnson’s cross from the right was volleyed goalwards by Charlie Daniels, striking the right arm of Will Aimson.

As penalty appeals were waved away, the Pilgrims defender played the ball down the right flank where Ennis sped off and squared for Jephcott to tap home his second.

There appeared no way back, yet Curtis had other ideas and, on 86 minutes, dispossessed Kell Watts on the byline as the defender attempted to let the ball run out.

The Irishman then drove an angled finish past keeper Michael Cooper to provide late hope.

Sure enough, one minute later, Harness crossed from the right and defenders Raggett and Bolton both hurled themselves at the ball, with one successful.

Both claimed the glorious moment amid subsequent celebrations, a good-natured debate which continued long after the final whistle.

How Pompey could do with their centre-forwards to become embroiled in similar discussions.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

The News has launched a new subscription offer which gives you unlimited access to all of our Pompey coverage, starting at less than £1 a week.

You can subscribe here to get the latest news and transfer updates from Fratton Park - and to support our local team of expert Pompey writers.