Football: Pompey draw point

PORTSMOUTH fought back twice to earn a point at Tranmere last night, but remain in the relegation zone after their 2-2 draw. John Durnin equalised Gary Jones' opener for the home side and the Jamaican international Paul Hall levelled nine minutes from time, after Dave Challinor had restored Tranmere's lead.

Pompey, who had goalkeeper Aaron Flahavan to thank for a series of great saves, stay in the bottom three on goals scored, while John Aldridge's side failed to improve on their 16th position.

"The way we performed on a wet night was terrific," Alan Ball, the Portsmouth manager, said. "We have five games left and I am proud of the way the players are setting about staying in this division."

In the Second Division Kevin Keegan's Fulham missed a chance to cement their position in the top six, when they dropped two home points against Walsall in a 1-1 draw. They needed a goal from substitute Paul Trollope three minutes from time to cancel out the opener from the Frenchman Roger Boli.

Burnley's relegation plight worsened when they lost 2-1 at home to Blackpool and had on-loan striker John Mullin sent off six minutes from time.