Portsmouth grabbed a possible Division One lifeline with a battling performance at Prenton Park.

The visitors twice fought back to get level but in the end they had goalkeeper Aaron Flahavan to thank for a series of great saves.

Tranmere should have secured their eighth home victory but the point takes them a step nearer safety.

Gary Jones was in the thick of the action for Tranmere. He put an early header onto the bar before heading the Merseysiders in front in the 14th minute from a cross by John Morrissey.

Portsmouth drew level with their first chance in the 21st minute. A John Aloisi shot rebounded off keeper Steve Simonsen into the path of John Durnin who netted from the edge of the box.

Tranmere regained the advantage in the 53rd minute. Portsmouth failed to clear a Morrissey corner and Dave Challinor prodded the ball home for his first goal of the season.

Challinor had another effort disallowed for off-side shortly afterwards and Rovers missed some great chances to increase their advantage.

The Pompey spirit never died and substitute Paul Hall put them level again in the 81st minute. His speculative 20 yard shot was part saved by Simonsen but the ball hit a post and rebounded back onto the keeper and into the net.

Tranmere defender Dariusz Kubicki was cautioned for a rugby style tackle on Aloisi who was also shown the yellow card for retaliation. Then Challinor was booked in injury time as the tension mounted.

Teams

Tranmere: Simonsen, Kubicki, Thompson, McGreal, Challinor, Irons, Morrissey (Hill 80), Mellon, G. Jones (Parkinson 80), O'Brien, L. Jones.

Subs Not Used: Morgan.

Booked: Kubicki, Challinor.

Goals: G. Jones 14, Challinor 53.

Portsmouth: Flahavan, Pethick, Robinson, McLoughlin (Hall 68), Whitbread, Awford, Hillier, Simpson, Aloisi, Durnin, Thomson.

Subs Not Used: Allen, Waterman.

Booked: Aloisi.

Goals: Durnin 21, Hall 81.

Att: 8,020

Ref: W C Burns (Scarborough).