Stan Ternent's Burnley side saw their play-off hopes suffer another setback as they were held despite taking a first-half lead through David Johnson.

Portsmouth started the second half in impressive fashion with Svetoslav Todorov missing the target with a long-range shot and Burnley keeper Nik Michopoulos intercepting Gary O'Neil's cross.

Todorov had another opportunity after 54 minutes but he was denied by Michopoulos.

Portsmouth were left cursing their luck again on the hour when Nigel Quashie's shot from Robert Prosinecki's corner flew just wide of the target.

Michopoulos saved Burnley shortly afterwards as he denied Jamie Vincent from close range.

As the home side continued to dominate Burnley introduced veteran midfielder Paul Gascoigne from the substitutes bench with 23 minutes remaining.

But after 74 minutes the home side were level, Todorov poking the ball home from six yards from substitute Courtney Pitt's left-wing cross.

Burnley's Johnson then had two chances in quick succession, firstly a shot which was blocked by Stefani Miglioranzi, then a header from six yards which missed the target.

In the first half Portsmouth also created plenty of chances and had the first attempt on goal with O'Neil missing the target from 25 yards after just four minutes.

The visitors had another narrow escape after 14 minutes when Michopoulos did well to block Kevin Harper's close-range shot.

Portsmouth's veteran keeper Dave Beasant then had to be on his toes to punch Lee Briscoe's dangerous cross away.

But Burnley took the lead after 19 minutes as Johnson curled home a spectacular right-footed effort from the left side of the penalty area from Briscoe's cross.

The home side, desperate to get back on level terms as quickly as possible, spurned another good opportunity when Todorov headed Scott Hiley's cross wide from just six yards.

Teams:

Portsmouth: Beasant, Hiley (Miglioranzi 56), Wilson (Pitt 73), Buxton, Vincent, O'Neil (Biagini 57), Prosinecki, Quashie, Summerbell, Todorov, Harper.

Subs Not Used: Kawaguchi, Brady.

Goals: Todorov 75.

Burnley: Michopoulos, West, Weller (Gascoigne 68), Gnohere, Thomas, Ian Moore (Little 57), Grant (Armstrong 52), Ball, Briscoe, Alan Moore, Johnson.

Subs Not Used: Cook, Taylor.

Goals: Johnson 20.

Att: 18,020

Ref: S Tomlin (Lewes).