Veteran goalkeeper Alan Knight produced a crucial late save as Portsmouth
grabbed a well deserved Division One draw at Carrow Road.
There were just five minutes remaining when young midfielder Darel Russell let
fly with a fierce drive just outside the six-yard box as the ball bubbled around
dangerously.
The youngster must have been dreaming of his first ever senior goal. But
Knight had other ideas, keeping the ball out with a superb reflex save.
A goal then would have flattered the Canaries, who have now slipped out of the
play-off picture after a run of only one win in 14 league games.
They were booed off at the final whistle after another lacklustre display, and
Portsmouth could well have gone away with all three points had they accepted one
of the two excellent chances that came their way.
The first arrived on 26 minutes when John Durnin caught Adrian Whitbread's
cross with an acrobatic volley only to see his effort fly inches wide of the
upright.
Then, on 72 minutes, Norwich goalkeeper Andy Marshall produced an excellent
block to keep out Sammy Igoe's drive after a defence-splitting ball from
Durnin.
It wasn't until six minutes into the second half that Norwich created a
worthwhile chance, with young Russell once again in the thick of the action.
He played a delightful one-two with Iwan Roberts only to be denied first by a
last-ditch tackle from Whitbread and then by a brave stop from Knight.
Roberts went close 14 minutes later, bringing the ball down on his chest
before volleying just over the bar. But the home challenge petered out until
that late rally almost earned an unlikely victory.
Teams
Norwich: A. Marshall, Sutch, Wilson, Russell, Fleming, Jackson,
Forbes, Bellamy, Roberts (Coote 87), L. Marshall, Llewellyn.
Subs Not Used: Mackay, Carey.
Booked: Russell.
Portsmouth: Knight, Robinson, Simpson, McLoughlin, Whitbread,
Waterman, Claridge, Peron, Miglioranzi, Durnin, Igoe.
Subs Not Used: Nightingale, Thogersen, Russell.
Booked: Simpson, Waterman, Miglioranzi.
Att: 16,662
Ref: K Hill (Royston).
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