Match ends, Portsmouth 2, Derby County 2.
Owen Moxon's stunning strike rescued a point for Portsmouth in a thrilling draw with League One promotion rivals Derby.
Joe Ward opened the scoring for the Rams early on but Abu Kamara quickly slotted home to bring Pompey level.
Ward scored for the second time before the break to give Derby the lead again but substitute Moxon struck from range in the second half to make it 2-2.
A five-point gap remains between the two sides with John Mousinho's leaders having a game in hand on Paul Warne's second-placed Rams.
- Relive Portsmouth's draw with Derby as it happened
- Derby boss Warne on promotion and walking his dog
- Pompey boss Mousinho wants to reward 'long-suffering' fans
A rocking Fratton Park rose for League One's top two sides ahead of the game, the rain swirling in the floodlights before kick-off.
Mousinho's side rode the Fratton wave early on, enjoying spells of possession and having a number of shots but not forcing Joe Wildsmith into a save of note.
Derby struck in the 23rd minute after Corey Blackett-Taylor drove powerfully into Portsmouth's final third and released Ward on the right.
He was clinical with his finish into the bottom left-hand corner of Will Norris' net for his first goal since joining Derby last summer.
But the hosts levelled almost immediately with a lovely team move that saw Colby Bishop flick the ball into the path of Kamara who stayed composed to cut inside and fire home.
Ten minutes before half-time, Ward scored his second of the game to put Derby in front again, striking from distance with the aid of a deflection.
Portsmouth should have equalised quickly once again but Christian Saydee sliced over the bar from less than 10 yards out.
The Rams' threat on the break continued into the second half with Portsmouth having the majority of the ball but Warne's side using the pace of Blackett-Taylor on the counter.
However, Portsmouth rescued a point in the 77th minute as substitute Moxon thumped home from all of 25 yards, celebrating wildly with the Fratton faithful.
There was more drama to come as Pompey substitute Tino Anjorin went down in the box late on with big cries for a penalty but referee Will Finnie was not satisfied there was enough contact to warrant a spot-kick.
Portsmouth manager John Mousinho, speaking to BBC Radio Solent:
"It was a pretty good performances against a really good side, we take the point and let's follow it up with a win at the weekend.
"The first goal was a brilliant move, I'm really pleased with that and the second goal.
"The penalty shout looked stonewall for me involving Tino Anjorin but regardless we have put ourselves in a really good position with the result."
Derby boss Paul Warne to BBC Radio Derby:
"Generally I'm really pleased with a point. I think we went toe-to-toe pretty well.
"That one point could be the difference come the end of the season.
"A draw's probably a fair result, but when you've got a lead like that, it's disappointing to lose it to a screamer like that which could've gone anywhere.
"I'm pleased for Joe Ward. He's really come into his own in the last couple of months."
Line-ups
Portsmouth
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Norris
- 17Rafferty
- 20Raggett
- 18Shaughnessy
- 6OgilvieBooked at 72mins
- 7Pack
- 45EvansSubstituted forMoxonat 59'minutes
- 25KamaraSubstituted forWhyteat 90+1'minutes
- 15SaydeeSubstituted forYengiat 70'minutes
- 32LaneBooked at 20minsSubstituted forAnjorinat 70'minutes
- 9Bishop
Substitutes
- 2Swanson
- 11Whyte
- 13Macey
- 19Yengi
- 21Sparkes
- 23Moxon
- 28Anjorin
Derby
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Wildsmith
- 2Wilson
- 35Nelson
- 6Cashin
- 17Sibley
- 23WardSubstituted forThompsonat 71'minutes
- 12SmithSubstituted forHourihaneat 90+2'minutes
- 32Adams
- 27Blackett-TaylorSubstituted forWashingtonat 85'minutes
- 11Méndez-Laing
- 9CollinsBooked at 43minsSubstituted forWaghornat 90+2'minutes
Substitutes
- 4Hourihane
- 10Waghorn
- 14Washington
- 16Thompson
- 22Fornah
- 31Vickers
- 49Robinson
- Referee:
- Will Finnie
- Attendance:
- 20,129
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home70%
- Away30%
- Shots
- Home10
- Away12
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away4
- Corners
- Home6
- Away0
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Portsmouth 2, Derby County 2.
Post update
Foul by Kusini Yengi (Portsmouth).
Post update
Eiran Cashin (Derby County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Substitution
Substitution, Derby County. Conor Hourihane replaces Korey Smith.
Substitution
Substitution, Derby County. Martyn Waghorn replaces James Collins.
Substitution
Substitution, Portsmouth. Gavin Whyte replaces Abu Kamara.
Post update
Delay in match because of an injury Ebou Adams (Derby County).
Post update
Foul by Kusini Yengi (Portsmouth).
Post update
Eiran Cashin (Derby County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Derby County. Conor Washington replaces Corey Blackett-Taylor.
Post update
Attempt missed. Nathaniel Méndez-Laing (Derby County) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by James Collins.
Post update
Attempt missed. Corey Blackett-Taylor (Derby County) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Kane Wilson with a cross.
Post update
Attempt missed. James Collins (Derby County) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Louie Sibley with a cross.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match (Portsmouth).
Post update
Attempt saved. Ebou Adams (Derby County) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Goal!
Goal! Portsmouth 2, Derby County 2. Owen Moxon (Portsmouth) right footed shot from outside the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Sean Raggett.
Booking
Connor Ogilvie (Portsmouth) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Comments
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Excellent atmosphere and great game in dire conditions
Well played and well supported
It's going to be very tough for us at the weekend to get anything from our away trip to Portsmouth, but who would have thought that Derby fans will be hoping that we do.
Both of these teams deserve to be playing Championship football next season.
Slightly gutted we didn’t hold on but would of snatched a point before kick off!
All the best for the rest of the season Pompey and hopefully have another 2 fantastic games next season!
🐏
PUP
Decent game in the rain .