Guy Whittingham equalised with almost the last kick of the game as 10-man Portsmouth battled back to earn a share of the points against Crystal Palace.

Whittingham, on loan from Sheffield Wednesday, scored his seventh goal since returning to his former club to give his side more hope of avoiding relegation.

Palace's former Portsmouth striker Lee Bradbury had given his side the lead after just three minutes when he took advantage of a dreadful blunder by veteran goalkeeper Alan Knight.

Portsmouth had plenty of chances to get back into the game but were denied by the brilliance of Palace goalkeeper Kevin Miller and the woodwork.

The game appeared to have changed in Palace's favour after 62 minutes when former Greek international Michaelis Vlachos was sent off for a second bookable offence following a foul on substitute Steve Evans.

But the loss of Vlachos and the introduction of substitute Stefani Miglioranzi saw Portsmouth show more determination than ever.

The Brazilian-born midfield player tested Palace as soon as he arrived in the 70th minute as a replacement for John Durnin.

It was Miglioranzi's 89th-minute cross which created havoc in the Palace defence and handed Whittingham the chance to score.

Whittingham reacted fastest as Palace rushed out to clear the Portsmouth winger's cross and the Sheffield Wednesday man was able to touch home his seventh goal in eight games since arriving on loan from the Premiership club.

Whittingham, due to return to Hillsborough next week, had already been denied thanks to a fantastic save from Miller in the first half when he volleyed a cross from Alan McLoughlin goalwards only to see it beaten away.

He was also denied by the post with almost the last kick of the first half when another McLoughlin cross put Palace under pressure.

Whittingham's right-foot shot beat Miller on this occasion - then hit the woodwork and landed safely back in the arms of the Palace keeper.

Teams:

Portsmouth: Knight, Robinson, Simpson (Nightingale 86), McLoughlin, Whitbread, Awford, Whittingham, Peron, Vlachos, Durnin (Miglioranzi 70), Igoe.

Subs Not Used: Thogersen.

Sent Off: Vlachos (62).

Booked: Vlachos, Peron.

Goals: Whittingham 89.

Crystal Palace: Miller, Smith, Petric (Evans 48), Tuttle, Moore, Linighan, Thomson, Zhiyi, Bradbury, Morrison, Mullins.

Subs Not Used: Jihai, McKenzie.

Booked: Petric, Mullins.

Goals: Bradbury 3.

Att: 15,120

Ref: P Richards (Preston).