Blackburn look destined for another stint of First Division football after failing to overcome struggling Portsmouth in a dour tussle at Ewood Park.

Blackburn's players left the field to a chorus of boos, an early penalty from skipper Lee Carsley unable to spark off any sort of performance.

Ceri Hughes salvaged a point for Pompey five minutes from half time and no one could begrudge the visitors their right to a share of the spoils on a dismal afternoon.

Eighteen-year-old debutante Ben Burgess was quickly involved, playing a one-two with fellow youngster David Dunn to force a corner and the early play stayed in and around the Portsmouth box.

Dunn with a volley and Ashley Ward with a header both tested Pompey keeper Russell Hoult.

But the biggest threat to Portsmouth came from their own player Ceri Hughes who twice within a minute managed to deflect shots against his own woodwork!

Blackburn finally made their dominance tell in the 22nd minute via the penalty spot.

Skipper Lee Carsley, restored to the line up after a lengthy absence with a broken foot, was upended by the luckless Hughes and promptly smashed home his 10th goal of the season from the spot.

Portsmouth, who have threatened only occasionally, drew level five minutes from half time when Hughes made up for his earlier error by shooting home from 18 yard range, his right foot effort bouncing to deceive Alan Kelly.

Hughes almost gave Portsmouth the lead early in the second half, a volley from 25 yards dipping just over the Rovers crossbar.

Blackburn were struggling to get any sort of rhythm into their attacking play although Garry Flitcroft was very close with a near-post header from a cross from Damien Duff.

Duff then got in himself, beating two defenders before dragging his shot wide from a good position.

Ward too was guilty of a bad miss heading off target when he really should have forced a save from Hoult.

Blackburn replaced Burgess with Norwegian Egil Ostenstad in a bid to pep up their forward play but without much success.

The home fans grew increasingly restless with Rovers failing in what was one of the poorest games at Ewood Park this season.

Teams:

Blackburn (1) 1 Portsmouth (1) 1

Blackburn: Kelly, McAteer, Short, Dailly, Davidson, Dunn, Carsley, Flitcroft (Frandsen 71), Duff, Burgiss (Ostenstad 59), Ward.

Subs Not Used: Gillespie, Harkness, Miller.

Booked: Ward.

Goals: Carsley 22 pen.

Portsmouth: Hoult, Crowe, Moore, Awford, Myers, Harper, Thogersen, Derry, Hughes, Claridge, Bradbury.

Subs Not Used: Hiley, Allen, Birmingham, O'Neil, Flahavan.

Booked: Derry, Hughes.

Goals: Hughes 41.

Att: 19,263

Ref: M Pike (Barrow-in-Furness).