Portsmouth share spoils in windswept promotion tussle against in-form Fleetwood

The Blues came from behind against Joey Barton’s in-form side at Fratton Park before Harry Souttar’s header atoned for an earlier own goal in the 2-2 draw.

The windy conditions tested the players in front of a16,775 crowd as Barrie McKay’s opener was cancelled out by Sean Raggett’s 36th-minute header.

Then Souttar took centre stage as he turned Ryan Williams’ cross into his own net three minutes after the restart, before heading home from a corner seven minutes later.

The result lifts Pompey to fourth in the table against a Fleetwood side who’ve lost just once in their past 17 league games.

But the feeling was a little more cohesion from the Blues could have yielded a greater return for their Championship bid.

Pompey were the first to threaten as Ronan Curtis found space in the box to angle a presentable chance over in the second minute.

The quality was low from there, however, with little of note taking place until the visitors opened the scoring in the 19th minute.

It was a messy goal as Ched Evans crossed from the left and McKay’s initial shot was saved by Alex Bass, but with the keeper and Steve Seddon attempting to clear the Fleetwood man nipped in to smash the loose ball home.

Fratton was restless after the opener and the angst grew as Tom Naylor nearly headed a corner into his own net.

A reply of sorts came in the 28th minute as Seddon crossed and Cameron McGeehan’s drive was blocked by Souttar.

Pompey were level, though, nine minutes before the break as Raggett looped a header in from a lovely angled ball from Ross McCrorie.

Fleetwood almost restored their lead with the last action of the half as Josh Morris blitzed a free-kick from 20 yards which had Bass beaten, but cannoned back off the post.

The second half started at at frenetic pace with Pompey getting their noses in front in the 48th minute as Ryan Williams steamed past Lewis Gibson and Harry Souttar rifled the cross into his own net.

Bass then made another excellent stop as Fleetwood broke four on one and Morris was all on his own but couldn’t beat the Pompey keeper.

Souttar atoned for his earlier intervention, however, as he levelled in the 55th minute, applying the final touch from a corner after Evans headed across goal.

And there was no way through for Pompey from there as John Marquis and Marcus Harness were sent on in search of the win.

There were audible boos on the full-time whistle as some fans vented their frustration at the game’s outcome.