Wimbledon have only one league victory at Selhurst Park and that weighed heavily on the minds of their players again as they stuttered to a lack-lustre draw against Portsmouth.

Dons boss Terry Burton will be left scratching his head as to why his team can turn on the style away from home but look like a patchy, mid-table side in front of their own supporters.

A 4-0 victory at Tranmere should have been followed by three points at home but individual brilliance by Portsmouth player-boss Steve Claridge on the stroke of half-time ensured his team did not leave London empty-handed.

Picking up the ball on the left edge of the penalty area, Claridge looked up and spotted Kelvin Davis standing off his line and lobbed the ball to the top corner.

Davis looked as though he thought the ball was sailing over but was forced to watch in horror as it dipped under his crossbar.

This effort was the only opening of a dour 45 minutes. The Dons struggled without Welsh international John Hartson but the elevation to the senior ranks of Patrick Agyemang appeared a gamble that paid off, with the striker a constant menace.

His quick thinking and imaginative ball skills created the Dons equaliser, as he set winger Neal Ardley clear in the 49th minute. The Wimbledon skipper cut into the box and picked out midfielder Damian Francis, who scored his eighth of the season.

The second half saw the Dons dominate the possession and territory but they could not turn this advantage into goals.

This lack of attacking threat nearly let Portsmouth regain their first-half lead, as first skipper Darren Moore went close with a header and then former Wimbledon player Ceri Hughes failed to connect with a right-wing cross.

The Dons frustration was summed up in injury time when giant centre-half Mark Williams struck the upright from close range.

If Wimbledon can some how transform their worrying home form they could challenge for a play-off berth, as they currently hold the best away record in the division.

Teams:

Wimbledon: Davis, Roberts, Holloway, Ardley, Euell, Andersen, Williams, Francis, Agyemang (Gayle 79), Hawkins, Gier.

Subs Not Used: Kimble, Feuer, Willmott, Hunt.

Booked: Gier, Holloway.

Goals: Francis 50.

Portsmouth: Flahavan, Derry, Moore, Claridge, Bradbury (Whittingham 76), Hughes (Harper 76), Quashie, Thogersen, Hiley, Crowe, Panopoulos.

Subs Not Used: Waterman, Vine, Christopher Tardiff, Christopher Tardiff.

Booked: Derry, Crowe.

Goals: Claridge 45.

Att: 9,245

Ref: L Cable (Woking).