A point for Tranmere was not enough to lift them off the foot of the Nationwide Division One table.

Portsmouth produced a lively performance to fully deserve a draw as they stretched their unbeaten run under new manager Graham Rix to four matches.

Both sides wasted good chances early on before Tranmere went ahead after 28 minutes.

Transfer-listed Wayne Allison capitalised on a mistake by Scott Hiley to net with an angled right-foot shot. Hiley had slipped as he tried to clear a centre by Graham Allen.

John Achterberg made a couple of vital saves for Tranmere and just before half-time Kevin Harper was denied an equaliser for Portsmouth after a marginal offside decision.

The visitors drew level in the 56th minute when Jamie Vincent pumped a high ball up field.

Achterberg came out of his box to try to clear but Harper reached the ball first, rounded the keeper and flighted an excellent shot into the unguarded goal.

Pompey substitute Steve Lovell missed a golden chance to put his side ahead in the 66th minute when he blazed over from point-blank range after being set up by the lively Harper.

Tranmere introduced Scott Taylor in the 75th minute and he was desperately unlucky with his first touch. His shot from close range hit the underside of the bar before the ball was scrambled away.

Then it was Portsmouth's turn to suffer in the 83rd minute when Lovell saw an angled left-foot shot hit the crossbar. And Achterberg saved Harper's effort from the rebound.

Tranmere threw everything at Portsmouth in the dying moments but Jason Koumas fired just wide and the visitors hung on.

Koumas and Allen were best for the Merseysiders and Kevin Harper was outstanding for Portsmouth.

Teams

Tranmere: Achterberg, Yates, Roberts, Jobson (Challinor 82), Allen, Koumas, Mellon, Hinds, Parkinson, Allison, Barlow (Scott Taylor 75).

Subs Not Used: Murphy, Morgan, Hume.

Booked: Mellon.

Goals: Allison 28.

Portsmouth: Flahavan, Hiley, Crowe, Mills, Vincent, Sharpe, Panopoulos, Brady, Bradbury, Wolleaston (Lovell 65), Harper.

Subs Not Used: Tardif, Waterman, Rudonja, Nightingale.

Booked: Sharpe.

Goals: Harper 57.

Att: 9,872.

Ref: C Wilkes (Gloucester).