Portsmouth's goalkeeping problems continued as Dave Beasant's howler allowed
promotion-chasing Wolves to draw level in their First Division clash at Fratton
Park.
The 42-year-old, who rejoined Pompey from Tottenham last week, started his
second successive match with Japan's Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi still to find his best
form and Chris Tardif struggling with a stomach upset.
But with the Portsmouth wall still trying to organise themselves, Beasant
failed to hold a quick free-kick by Alex Rae and the ball slipped through his
hands to gift Wolves an equaliser on the quarter-hour mark.
Beasant's mistake came just four minutes after Nigel Quashie had given Pompey
the lead, albeit with a huge slice of good fortune.
The midfielder's 20-yard shot appeared to have been blocked by Wolves defender
Joleon Lescott, but the ball looped towards goal and despite a touch from
goalkeeper Michael Oakes it span over the line.
It was no more than the home side deserved after dominating the opening
stages, and Quashie had the first effort on target in the fifth minute when his
25-yard shot was tipped round the post by Oakes.
Peter Crouch wasted a chance to net his 16th goal of the season when Kevin
Harper nodded down Robert Prosinecki's corner, only for the giant striker to
fire his volley over the crossbar.
Wolves' equaliser seemed to bring the visitors to life and they began to get
on top as the half went on.
Dave Jones' side had an appeal for a penalty turned down in the 35th minute
when Nathan Blake went down in the area but referee Mike Dean was not
impressed.
Quashie had the last chance of the half when he again tried his luck from
distance but this time Lescott's challenge was enough to steer the ball wide.
Teams:
Portsmouth: Beasant, Primus, Hiley (Lovell 89), Buxton, Crowe,
Derry, Quashie, Prosinecki, Vincent, Crouch, Harper (O'Neil 89).
Subs Not Used: Tardif, Zamperini, Pitt.
Booked: Primus, Derry, Vincent.
Goals: Quashie 11, Prosinecki 79.
Wolverhampton: Oakes, Muscat, Butler, Lescott, Camara, Newton,
Cameron, Rae, Kennedy (Ndah 84), Blake, Sturridge.
Subs Not Used: Naylor, Andrews, Miller, Murray.
Booked: Newton, Sturridge, Camara.
Goals: Rae 15, Blake 61, Sturridge 85.
Att: 13,105
Ref: M Dean (The Wirral).
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