Portsmouth 1, Wycombe Wanderers 1.

SAM Wood’s goal kept Wanderers’ unbeaten away record going but Blues had to settle for a point after being pegged back by Portsmouth.

Wood’s goal early in the second half had temporarily given Wanderers possession of pole position in the League Two table and was swiftly followed by chants of “We are top of the league” from the 729 travelling fans.

Bury were leaders by the end of play however as they saw off Burton in the day’s first against second clash, while at Fratton Park Blues had to settle for a share of the spoils after Johnny Ertl – on as a half time substitute – had blasted the hosts level from the edge of the box.

The draw keeps Wanderers among the early pace setters and a point gained against a Portsmouth side strongly fancied to go up automatically is not one to be sniffed at.

It was one they had to fight hard for however, as wave upon wave of Portsmouth attacks followed Wood’s close range finish that had put them in front.

A first shooting opportunity presented itself to the recalled Danny Rowe in the opening minute after some typically bustling industry from Josh Scowen, with his effort clattering away off a defender for a corner – which for once failed to produce anything for Blues.

Hearts were in mouths as Alfie Mawson cut out a Dan Butler cross but almost diverted the ball into his own net in the process as Pompey broke, while Jed Wallace’s shot lacked direction as it bent harmlessly away from goal.

Wood sliced a volley high and wide as Matt Ingram’s long free kick into the home penalty area was only partially dealt with as clear shots at goal became a precious commodity despite plenty of attacking endeavour by both sides.

Plenty of crosses were played into both penalty areas but all too often nobody was waiting in the middle to profit from the service, as Matt McClure’s flick from a Sido Jombati delivery was a shade too far in front of Peter Murphy.

The midfielder, who scored home and away against Pompey for Accrington last season, was a touch too high with a header from Rowe’s cross as it cleared the crossbar, while at the other end Craig Westcarr was able to hold off the sizeable frame of Aaron Pierre and poke an effort goalwards.

Ingram came to the rescue on that occasion and home keeper Paul Jones was called into action to touch away a McClure shot after the striker tried to catch him out with an awkward effort that bounced just in front of the Portsmouth stopper.

Joe Jacobson burst forward unchallenged but fired over, Mawson’s attempt from just outside the centre circle was easily gathered and Jones made a sharp stop to keep out Wood’s first-time effort as Wanderers upped the ante without getting their reward.

They thought they’d made the breakthrough as Jacobson’s shot from distance deflected off Murphy and was pawed away by the wrongfooted Jones. Murphy reached the rebound first and he was denied by veteran defender Paul Robinson on the goalline as the midfielder tried to roll the ball home.

Pompey had one final chance to break the deadlock before the interval but Westcarr’s finish from a fine Wallace pass was hopeless, spooned over the bar from six yards.

And the first clear effort on goal of the second half brought with it the game’s first goal as Murphy’s shot caused panic in the home defence and Wood was on hand to divert it home from close range past a deceived Jones.

McClure really ought to have given Wanderers a more emphatic lead as he span past his man all too easily after collecting Jombati’s pass – with the full back being given too much time and space – but fired over the top.

Out of the blue however Portsmouth almost drew level as Jombati and then Jacobson couldn’t quite complete a clearance and Dunne latched onto the loose before sending a shot screaming over Ingram’s head but crashing against the underside of the crossbar.

Substitute Miles Storey then streaked clear of the visiting defence but keeper Ingram stood tall to turn his shot away for a corner – which was flicked on for Joe Devera arriving at the far post, but the defender hammered it over the top with a gaping goal at his mercy.

The pressure was starting to tell as Westcarr was once more off target with another poor finish from close range.

And Portsmouth drew level as a corner reached defender Ertl loitering on the edge of the box, and he smashed it through a crowded penalty and into the net to tie things up again and increase the noise level from the Fratton faithful.

Portsmouth now smelt blood and were inches away from taking the lead as the lively Wallace managed to free himself down the left and he was left with head in hands as Ingram dived low down to parry away his angled drive.

Former Portsmouth player Paris Cowan-Hall attempted to relieve some of the pressure after coming on as a substitute but his shot was weakly struck straight at Jones.

The winger turned and shot on the edge of the box with the same result and Wood fired over deep into six minutes of added time as the match petered out into a draw.

Wanderers: Ingram, Jombati, Pierre, Mawson, Jacobson, Scowen, Rowe, Murphy, Wood, McClure (sub Cowan-Hall), Hayes (sub Kretzschmar). Substitutes not used: Richardson, Bloomfield, Walker, Lewis, Holloway.

Attendance: 16,171 (729 from Wycombe)