Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch saved the blushes of under-fire manager Graham Rix as his side were held to a draw by First Division strugglers Walsall.

Portsmouth had the better chances during the game but it was the Saddlers who went ahead through Martin O'Connor, although Crouch cancelled out their lead minutes later.

The first shot of the game fell to Walsall striker Marcelo, who forced a save from Dave Beasant as early as the second minute.

But Portsmouth soon got into the game when Courtney Pitt tested James Walker before a weak shot from Robert Prosinecki went wide of the mark.

Pitt was again causing problems for the Saddlers defence minutes later and he could have put Portsmouth ahead but his shot was parried away by Walker.

As the game approached the half hour, Marcelo saw his left-footed shot from 18 yards blocked by David Waterman while Scott Hiley saw his effort stopped by Fitzroy Simpson.

Rix's side continued to pile on the pressure in the final five minutes of the half and it was Prosinecki who missed a number of gilt-edged chances.

Walsall came out fighting in the second half and Marcelo was guilty of wasting an opportunity when the former Birmingham man met a cross from Greg Shields from six yards out while David Holdsworth and Simpson also wasted chances.

But the breakthrough came as the game approached the hour and Colin Lee's men, who are battling for their lives, finally grabbed the goal they deserved.

O'Connor latched onto a pass from Steve Corica and he drilled the ball past Dave Beasant to score his first goal since rejoining the Saddlers.

But their joy was shortlived as Crouch helped ease some of the pressure on Rix as he headed home from six yards following a cross from Jamie Vincent.

Walsall brought on Brett Angell for Jorge Leitao in a bid to restore their lead but his first run on goal saw him ruled off-side.

But it was Portsmouth who had the best chance to go ahead when Crouch picked up a cross by Leonardo Biagini only to shoot the ball over the bar.

Pompey continued to push forward and Prosinecki's corner was cleared by Holdsworth.

With four minutes left, Walsall were awarded a corner but Waterman was able to clear the ball from the following scramble.

With almost the last kick of the game, Biagini saw his cross save by Walker and Pompey had to be happy with a point.

Teams:

Portsmouth Beasant, Vincent, Buxton, Waterman, Hiley (Curtis 41), Pitt (Biagini 62), Quashie, O'Neil, Rudonja (Primus 62), Prosinecki, Crouch.

Subs Not Used: Tardif, Cooper.

Booked: O'Neil.

Goals: Crouch 66.

Walsall Walker, Aranalde, Roper, Holdsworth, Shields, Simpson, Corica (Biancalani 71), O'Connor, Wrack, Leitao (Angell 66), Marcelo.

Subs Not Used: Harper, Bennett, Barras.

Goals: O'Connor 59.

Att: 13,203

Ref: L Cable (Woking).