Bury extended their unbeaten run to eight matches as a goal from Lenny Johnrose dented Portsmouth's survival hopes at Fratton Park.

Johnrose struck with a header in the 21st minute to end a Portsmouth defensive shutout which had lasted four matches and 397 minutes.

Australian international John Aloisi claimed an equaliser for Portsmouth in the 68th minute - but with Alan Ball's side needing victory to pull them further clear of the bottom three it was a bitter blow for Pompey.

Johnrose converted a perfect centre from Bury full-back Tony Rigby.

The heroics of goalkeeper Dean Kiely kept Portsmouth at bay as he made four fine saves to frustrate the home side in an heroic display.

He first denied David Hillier with the game just four minutes old as the former Arsenal man smashed in a shot from long range which was parried wide.

Then Kiely denied Steve Claridge, who beat three defenders before blasting a shot from 20 yards.

A brave save, diving at the feet of Aloisi in the 42nd minute was his best of the game as it looked as though all Portsmouth's efforts were to be in vain.

Another weaving run from Claridge led to the equaliser with the on-loan Leicester frontman hitting a shot which Kiely kept out but the ball ended up at Aloisi's feet.

The Australian international made no mistake from two yards out to claim his 12th goal of the season.

Substitute Paul Hall almost grabbed a late winner for Portsmouth with a powerful shot from outside the area but the Jamaican international was also frustrated by Kiely.

Bury midfield player Mark Patterson was booked by referee Steve Bennett for a needless foul on a Robbie Pethick in the 86th minute, an anxious moment for the visitors.

Alan McLoughlin curled in a freekick from the edge of the penalty area but Andy Thomson's header was beaten away by a Bury defender.

Ball's side were looking to extend their run of victories to five matches but were forced to settle for a point and they must now face Swindon on Saturday fearing a drop back down into the bottom three unless they can return to winnings ways.

Teams:

Portsmouth: Flahavan, Pethick, Robinson (Hall 80), McLoughlin, Whitbread, Awford, Vlachos, Claridge, Aloisi, Hillier, Thomson.

Subs Not Used: Allen, Svensson.

Goals: Aloisi 68.

Bury: Kiely, Rigby, Small, Daws, Lucketti, Butler, Jemson, Patterson, Armstrong, Johnrose, Matthews (Battersby 80).

Subs Not Used: Dalglish, Woodward.

Booked: Patterson.

Goals: Johnrose 21.

Att: 12,462

Ref: S G Bennett (Redhill).