The lowdown on today's League One action at The Valley, where Pompey were held to a goalless draw by Charlton Athletic.
The Blues embarked on one of their shortest away journeys of the season to take on a struggling Charlton Athletic at The Valley.
Charlton, now managed by former Southampton boss Nathan Jones, went into the game in 20th position and only outside of the relegation zone on goal difference. 50-year-old Jones took over from the dismissed Michael Appleton earlier in February.
John Mousinho named an unchanged starting XI from the side that started in last week's 4-1 win over Reading over Fratton Park - The only change was on the bench, where Gavin Whyte dropped out for the returning Myles Peart-Harris.
Portsmouth boasted the best form of any team in the division ahead of the match having gone unbeaten in their previous 7, whereas The Addicks were winless in 15 league matches and had recorded just 1 win from 18 in all competitions.
First Half:
Charlton dished an early scare to Pompey with a shot from Daniel Kanu that hit the inside of the post in the 3rd minute. Will Norris gathered fortuitously and hit the ball straight up the other end where Colby Bishop's effort was saved by Chichester-born Harry Isted.
10 minutes later, a moment of magic saw Owen Moxon flick the ball cleverly over his and an Addicks' player's head before unleashing a ferocious volley on goal, however Isted again equal to it and putting the ball out for a corner.
From that point forwards, the match became scrappy with both teams making silly mistakes and playing sloppy balls forward.
The Blues had their hearts in their mouths once again on the 15th minute when Sean Raggett's poor ball back was intercepted by Alfie May, who swivelled and played Thierry Small through on goal with Will Norris closing the forward down to deny an opener.
Immediately afterward, Pompey knocked on the Charlton door twice when Joe Rafferty's floated ball in from the right finds Callum Lang in the box - His header was saved at point-blank range by Harry Isted before Paddy Lane's follow-up clipped the underside of the bar and failed to settle in the back of the net.
On minute 33, John Mousinho's side got away with another one when Alfie May and Daniel Kanu got in each other's way following a dangerous, low ball in from Tennai Watson.
A let off for the Blues in first half injury time saw Will Norris blast the ball at Conor Shaughnessy at close range, allowing youngster Karoy Anderson to intercept in the box, however Portsmouth fortunate to have seen his poor lay-off cleared out of play by Joe Rafferty.
Forwards such as Paddy Lane and Callum Lang were crowded out by a stout Charlton defence in the opening 45 and Pompey were limited to half-chances rather than clear-cut opportunities in front of goal.
Half-time: Charlton Athletic 0-0 Portsmouth
Second Half:
Both teams were unchanged at the break and ready to tackle a second half which ultimately proceeded to unfold in a similar manner to the first.
Charlton claimed the first real opportunity of the second half when Tyreeq Bakinson met the cross of Huddersfield Town loanee Rarmani Edmonds-Green, though the header was miles off target.
Left-back Connor Ogilvie was brought off on the 61st minute after suffering some discomfort following a blow to the head earlier in the match. Ogilvie had been prepared to take a throw-in when he was replaced by Jack Sparkes and head coach John Mousinho confirmed to Andrew Moon after the game that the substitution decision was purely to be cautious and that Ogilvie should be fine with a few days rest.
The game continued to be end-to-end with neither side able to convert their chances.
On the 81st minute, Jack Sparkes' curling free-kick from the right-hand side in front of the travelling Blues fans almost caught Harry Isted off guard, however the keeper was able to scramble and claw the opportunity out for a corner, which proved to be fruitless.
Myles Peart-Harris, who was introduced to the game on the 73rd minute, was fed through by Kusini Yengi on the 88th minute to give the Blues a golden opportunity to grab a late winner, though denied by an excellent piece of defending from Lloyd Jones.
Pompey led the way in terms of shots on goal, recording 14 in total though only 3 were on target. Charlton on the other hand had 5 shots with just 2 on target. The match ended goalless between a side scrapping for points down at the bottom of the table and a team flying high at the top but unable to find that cutting edge in front of goal.
Full-time: Charlton Athletic 0-0 Portsmouth
Attendance: 16,832 (including 3,155 away fans)
Jake's Man of the Match: Conor Shaughnessy - Another clean sheet for the Pompey defence in a game that, in truth, not many players provided much of a spark in front of goal - Certainly not to the extent to warrant the award of Man of the Match - Shaughnessy battled through and played the entire game having sustained a cut to the nose in the first half. The Blues defender had to change his shirt twice but remained on the pitch for the entirety of the game.
Full-time scores from elsewhere in League One today: Cambridge United 0-1 Peterborough United, Barnsley 2-1 Derby County, Blackpool 4-1 Bolton Wanderers, Bristol Rovers 2-1 Carlisle United, Burton Albion 0-2 Northampton Town, Exeter City 1-1 Fleetwood Town, Oxford United 1-2 Leyton Orient, Port Vale 0-2 Lincoln City, Reading 2-3 Shrewsbury Town, Stevenage 1-0 Wycombe Wanderers
Although frustrating to see Portsmouth held to a goalless draw by The Addicks, defeats for both Derby and Bolton mean the Blues extend their lead at the top of League One from 6 to 7 points.
Jake Smith will have all of the reaction to this game on The Football Hour, this Monday (February 26th) evening between 6-7pm.
Pompey Live will be back tomorrow (February 25th) afternoon with full coverage of the Portsmouth Women's trip to Newcastle United in the FA Women's National League Cup Semi-Final. Connor Moseley, Jake Smith, Matt Drabble and Kirsty Roxanne will be on hand with build-up, commentary and reaction from 2pm at St James' Park!
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