Fleetwood Town shared the spoils in their last game before Christmas as they drew one-all with top-of-the-league Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Saturday afternoon.

It was heartbreak once again going into the break as an added time spot kick – netted by Colby Bishop – was the difference between the two sides, but Town did well to come out the blocks in the second half and drew the game level thanks to defender Josh Earl from close range.

Supporters at Fratton Park witnessed a nervy start for both sides, with chances coming at a premium. The first one did eventually come 12 minutes in for the hosts as Abu Kamara cleverly chipped the ball over Jay Lynch, but Connor Teale was there to clear off the line.

More work down the right meant Portsmouth had another big chance not long after as Joe Rafferty picked out Kamara, who just broke the offside trap and then found the feet of Alex Robertson 15 yards out, whose effort was dragged well wide of Lynch’s far post.

Then it was Town’s turn to find their groove as they worked two chances in quick succession, starting with a brilliant solo run for Brendan Wiredu, which ended in an off-target strike and then Callum Dolan had one of his own, volleying from range, but it flew high and wide.

Not many more chances presented themselves before the break. Still, Portsmouth did manage to break the deadlock after Kamara hit the post five minutes before as Bishop slotted home from the penalty spot deep into added time.

It was a quick start to the second half as both sides had a chance within the first five minutes; firstly, Phoenix Patterson fired a 20-yard free-kick on target, forcing Norris into a save, with Pompey then going down the other end where Bishop struck over.

Town then lined two more strikes from range, with the second being the closest to going in from a Fleetwood perspective as Maleace Asamoah, who looked dangerous on the right wing all afternoon, cut inside, and fired on target, only for Norris to easily save.

This pressure paid off for the men in green as they found their way back into the game when Earl managed to bundle home Patterson’s corner from the left after it was only half-cleared, meaning it was all to play for once again at Fratton Park.

With honours-even, both sides. Went on the attack and Jack Sparkes sent a free-kick over for the hosts and then both substitutes - Cian Hayes and Jack Marriott - had efforts of their own, but neither were able to add to the one-all scoreline.

Pompey XI: Norris (GK), Pack (C), Robertson (Saydee 64’), Bishop, Morrell, Rafferty, Shaughnessy, Raggett, Sparkes, Kamara (Scully 85’), Lane (Whyte 75’).

Unused subs: Schofield (GK), Towler, Yengi, Devlin.

Town XI: Lynch (GK), Johnston, Wiredu, Lawal, Stockley, Heneghan (C), Dolan (Marriott 75’), Teale (Holgate 85’), Earl, Patterson, Asamoah (Hayes 64’). 

Unused subs: McMullan (GK), Montgomery, Tshimanga, Johnson.