A goalless South Coast Derby is played out at St Mary's, where both sides had chances to claim bragging rights.
The point takes Jay Sadler’s Portsmouth 3 points from safety with just 3 Barclays Women’s fixtures remaining.
Southampton’s status in the division for next season was already confirmed before today’s game, as the Saints are now 8th place on 18 points and 9 above Portsmouth in 9th.
Pompey almost took the lead inside the opening 10 minutes when Emma Jones fired an ambitious effort at goal, but Fran Stenson was there in the Saints net to parry the ball away.
The hosts then went on to catch the visitors on the break when Georgia Mullet found herself one-on-one with the keeper, but Hannah Coan put in a last ditch block just as Poulter came out of her goal to grab hold of the ball.
Sophie Quirk cut across the left flank to cross a ball into Sophie Barker, but the Portsmouth captain's header went wide of the goal.
Megan Hornby hit an ambitious effort from outside the box which went just over the bar and certainly gave Stenson in goal something to think about.
Hornby was then one on one with Stenson just moments later, just the forward slipped over the ball, but managed to salvage a corner for the Blues.
There were a total of 3 minutes of added time onto the end of a rather eventful half which somehow had no goals in it.
Half-time: Southampton 0-0 Portsmouth
Hornby arguably had the best chance of the evening so far, with her curling effort being parried over the bar by Stenson and out for a Pompey corner.
Molly Pike then tried to beat Poulter at her near post down the other end, but the Portsmouth keeper tipped the ball out for a Saints corner.
Southampton then made their first substitutes of the evening, with the already booked Palmer and Millie Mott coming off for Via Lia and Megan Collet.
The hosts then had a chance at goal moments later, but Mullet’s lifted effort at goal soared over the bar and out for a Pompey goal kick.
Poulter was then booked after she kicked the ball away in frustration after she collected the ball past the line of the pitch, giving Saints a corner.
Poulter went down with what was thought to be cramp causing concerns for the Pompey bench who were without a recognised keeper among the substitutes but the Brighton loanee got back to her feet and played on.
With twenty minutes left to play Southampton actually had the ball in the net after Pike placed the ball under the legs of Poulter, but the Saints forward was offside and the goal was not given.
Sub Viv Lia found herself in a good position on the left flank, but right-back Annie Rolph was there to close the winger down.
Saints then made their 3rd substitute of the game with forward Rachel Rowe being subbed for Araya Dennis with 10 minutes of normal time remaining.
Emma Jones poked the ball at Stenson after being left one on one by the Saints backline, but Stenson was there to grab hold of the effort and keep the score 0-0.
Portsmouth then made their first substitute of the evening with five minutes to go, with Emma Jones coming off for Scarlett Williams.
Sophie Quirk almost won it for the Blues at the death after she received Hornby’s pass across goal, but Stenson made a solid save to keep things level with just 2 minutes left of the clock.
Fourth official Steven Walsh added on an additional seven minutes of added time after the 90 was up.
Full-time: Southampton 0-0 Portsmouth
Southampton: 22. Stenson (GK), 3. Mott (23. Collett) 5. Harbert, 6. Bourne, 7. Mullet, 8. Peplow, 10. Pike, 11. Rowe (12. Dennis), 21. Purified (C), 24. Peake, 66. Palmer (15. Lia)
Unused Subs: 13. Haaland (GK), 18. Milne, 27. Watts, 29. Mallon, 35. Roberts
Bookings: Palmer 23’, Purified 72’
Portsmouth: 24. Poulter (GK), 14. Rolph, 32. Casley, 5. Coan, 15. Bull, 8. Rowbotham, 10. McLaughlin, 12. Quirk, 9. Jones (19. Williams), 77. Hornby
Unused Subs: 11. McLachlan, 16. Humphrey, 18. Bramley, 44. Jarrett
Bookings: 8. Rowbotham 63’, McLaughlin 66’
Venue: St Mary’s Stadium
Referee: Abby Dearden
Attendance: 5,666 (Including 1,000 Pompey Fans)
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