Preston North End were lucky to pick up a point from their game away to Portsmouth.
Although PNE went in one up at half time the hosts dominated the second half and had more than enough chances to win.
Iain Hume gave North End the lead but half an hour later Greg Halford equalised.
Ex-PNE man David Nugent had a number of chances in the second half but failed to find the net against his former club.
Barry Nicholson filled in at right back again while Eddie Johnson and Keith Treacy played on the wings looking to support Hume.
Portsmouth started the better and both Nugent and Joel Ward had shots saved by Iain Turner in the PNE goal.
North End managed to keep Portsmouth out and with 30 minutes on the clock a great through ball from Johnson put Hume in behind and he finished well to give PNE the lead.
That goal made it six in six for Hume and the Canadian striker has been instrumental in PNE’s recent good form.
Neither side threatened during the last 15 minutes of the first half and PNE saw it out.
North End started the second half well with Treacy and Hume both looking dangerous but a double change from Portsmouth’s manager Steve Cotterill changed the game.
Carl Dickinson and veteran Nwankwo Kanu came on for Portsmouth and moments later Halford headed home to put Pompey level.
The hosts built on the goal and dominated the last half hour.
Nugent and Dave Kitson both came close to giving Portsmouth the lead but full back Halford was their biggest threat from corners.
With just 15 minutes to go Portsmouth came close to scoring but South African Bongani Khumalo heroically blocked the ball.
The Tottenham defender was brilliant in his second game for PNE and his performance earned North End a point.
Portsmouth had chances right until the final whistle but PNE’s back four held firm to earn PNE a point.
Sheffield United lost against Middlesbrough while Scunthorpe pulled off an amazing 4-1 win against QPR. They swapped places with PNE still in 23rd and now seven points off safety.
The Lilywhites are away to Doncaster on Tuesday night and need a win if they are to have any chance of pulling off the great escape.
PNE: Turner 7, Nicholson 7, Khumalo 8, Morgan 7, Jones 7, Barton 6 (Ellington 6), Carter 6 (Coutts n/a), Ashbee 7, Johnson 7 (Mayor 6), Treacy 7, Hume 8. Unused subs: Lonergan, Wright, Russell, Hayes.
Portsmouth: Ashdown 7, De Laet 7, Mokoena 6 (Dickinson 7), Hreidarsson 6, Halford 8, Hogg 6, Mullins 7, Ward 7, Cotterill 6 (Kanu 6), Nugent 7 (Webber n/a), Kitson 6. Unused subs: Flahavan, Ciftci.