Ian Pearce saves the day for Fulham

A last-gasp equaliser from Ian Pearce meant Fulham came from a goal behind to earn a 1-1 draw with Portsmouth at Craven Cottage.

A wonder-strike from Niko Kranjcar had opened the scoring for Harry Redknapp's side, but Pearce's late strike cancelled out the goal and the sides were forced to share the points.

The home side began the game looking for their first win in five games in all competitions, but on the back of two consecutive draws, they were looking to build on recent results.

The visitors were also lacking any good form and were looking to break their three-game goal-drought. Redknapp's side had picked up just one win in their last nine fixtures and were in need of a win in order to stand any chance of fulfilling their European aspirations.

But the drought was broken in the opening moments of the game, and the goal was worth waiting for, as Kranjcar (4) produced an incredible piece of skill to hand Portsmouth the lead.

A free-kick from inside Pompey's own half was played forward by Linvoy Primus and was met by Nwankwo Kanu, heading to the feet of Kranjcar whose shot from outside the box glided past Antti Niemi into the top right-hand corner for 1-0.

Shell-shocked Fulham were struggling to cope with the Pompey attack in the early stages of the game, but they gradually began to make their own impact on the contest.

Tomasz Radzinski chased down a lose ball on the edge of the area, and his dipping effort came close to leveling the scoreline, but David James tipped the ball over the bar for a corner.

The end-to-end football continued as Richard Hughes attempted to punish Fulham for a defensive lapse, firing his effort in from 20 yards, but Niemi dived low to collect the ball.

The Cottagers' next opportunity came courtesy of captain Michael Brown after a build-up of passing play between the Fulham attack, however his low effort was pushed wide by James.

Coleman's side continued to test the Pompey defence with a series of well-measured set-pieces, but the attackers failed to show their killer touch that could level the scoring.

Simon Davies broke down the right-hand side minutes later and his resultant cross caused problems in the area, however it was too fast for the on-running Fulham attack.

From the clearance that followed, Gary O'Neil was presented with an opportunity as he ran down the left-hand side, but his low shot was hit towards the near post and Niemi collected the ball with little effort.

At the other end, Franck Queudrue found space and his 30-yard effort was hit low and hard, but again Fulham were left frustrated as James made the save, diving to his right-hand side.

After the re-start, Brian McBride had an excellent chance to level the scoreline, as Liam Rosenior waltzed into the area and crossed from the right-hand side, however the American scooped his effort into the hands of James.

The Fulham fans believed their side should have had a penalty minutes later, as Dejan Stefanovic jumped high with McBride to head the ball clear. The referee waved away the appeal.

As Coleman looked for his side to attack further, Wayne Routledge was introduced to the game in place of the quiet and ineffective Papa Bouba Diop.

The Cottagers continued to press as Alexei Smertin fired his effort narrowly across goal and an unmarked Pearce had an excellent chance to capitalise, but he failed to catch the ball effectively, and his shot went wide.

Coleman threw on Vincenzo Montella and his impact was immediate as he latched onto McBride's cross, but his shot was scooped upwards and over the bar.

Benjani had an opportunity to double his side's lead as he sprinted into the box, and a quick one-two with O'Neil presented him with space, but the ball ran too far ahead of him and into the hands of Niemi.

The home side were presented with one of their best opportunities of the game as Collins John sprinted forwards into the box and squared for Montella. With little time to control or place the ball, the Italian fired wide from inside the six-yard box.

Portsmouth made their second substitution of the game on 80 minutes as Kanu was replaced by Svetoslav Todorov.

Little time was spent before Todorov had his first opportunity of the game, as pressure from Pompey led to a series of chances, capped off by the Bulgarian who fired his close-range effort straight at Niemi.

The final substitution of the match was made shortly after as Benjani left the game in place of Arnold Mvuemba.

Todorov was clearly in the mood for a goal as he fired his 25-yard effort fiercely towards Niemi, who punched the ball wide. From the resultant corner, Taylor found space but smashed his shot over the bar.

As both sides began to become frustrated with their missed chances, tempers began to flare, and a tussle between Brown and Davis ment that they found themselves both in the book.

As the game drew to a close, Fulham at last made a breakthrough thanks to Pearce. Smertin sprinted into the box and the ball fell loose as he was tackled. Making the most of his opportunity, Pearce stabbed the ball home passed James in the Pompey goal.

Buoyed by their equaliser, Fulham went close to stealing the winner through John, but Pompey held on.

Fulham: Niemi, Rosenior, Pearce, Bocanegra, Queudrue, Smertin,Davies, Brown, Diop (Routledge 57), McBride (John 65),Radzinski (Montella 62).
Subs Not Used: Lastuvka, Helguson.

Booked: Brown (87,d).

Goals: Pearce 90,
( right-footed into bottom-right of goal from 20 yards out. Assist (pass) by Alexey Smertin.)

Portsmouth: James, Lauren, Campbell, Primus, Stefanovic,O'Neil, Hughes, Davis, Kranjcar (Taylor 61),Mwaruwari (Mvuemba 83), Kanu (Todorov 80).
Subs Not Used: Ashdown, LuaLua.

Goals: Kranjcar 4.

Att: 22,806

Ref: M Riley (W Yorkshire).