Portsmouth increased the pressure on Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan by coming back from 2-0 down to secure a point at the Riverside.
Matthew Bates' finish from a corner and a Barry Robson penalty gave the home side a dominant first-half position.
David Nugent headed Portsmouth back into the game on the hour.
And, with two minutes to go, Robson elbowed Aaron Mokoena in the box to earn himself a red card and allow Liam Lawrence to equalise from the spot.
The result means both sides remain near the foot of what is an extremely tight Championship table.
Middlesbrough were expected to challenge for promotion this season, but they have failed to live up to their billing and have now gone three matches without a win.
Pompey made the stronger start here and could have taken the lead within the first 15 minutes, but Nugent's shot hit the post and Lawrence blazed his follow-up over.
But it was the home side who seized the advantage against the run of play when Bates smashed home from Robson's corner.
They extended their lead just before half time when Gary O'Neil's cross found defender Joel Ward out of position and in his attempt to clear he brought down Scott McDonald in the box.
Robson powered the resulting penalty high into the top left-hand corner of the goal.
Pompey gave themselves hope of an unlikely point when Nugent headed home Lawrence's cross with 30 minutes to go.
The late pressure told on the home side, as Robson inexplicably elbowed Mokoena in the box, and the Middlesbrough man was given a red card and provided the platform for Lawrence to calmly earn his team a point.
Live text and stats
Saturday, 2 October 2010
Npower Championship
Home Team
Score
Away Team
Time
Middlesbrough
2-2
Portsmouth
FT
(HT 2-0)
Bates 29
Robson (pen) 42
Nugent 60
Lawrence (pen) 88
Middlesbrough
30 Steele
04 Bates yellow card
05 Wheater
06 McManus
29 McMahon yellow card
08 Thomson (Tavares 8)
17 Robson red card
18 O'Neil (Lita 77)
19 Halliday (Bailey 51 yellow card)
07 McDonald
09 Boyd
Substitutes
21 Coyne,
24 Hines,
27 Bennett,
10 Bailey,
37 Tavares,
11 Kink,
15 Lita
Portsmouth
01 Ashdown
03 Dickinson
20 Ward (Kanu 69)
33 Rocha (Sonko 83)
04 Mokoena
07 Lawrence
08 Mullins
11 Brown
17 Utaka
10 Nugent
18 Kitson yellow card
Substitutes
37 Flahavan,
25 Sonko,
05 Ritchie,
22 Hughes,
24 Ciftci,
27 Kanu
Ref: ShoebridgeAtt: 14,749
MIDDLESBROUGH
PORTSMOUTH
Possession
Middlesbrough54%
Portsmouth46%
Attempts on target
Middlesbrough6
Portsmouth5
Attempts off target
Middlesbrough4
Portsmouth6
Corners
Middlesbrough5
Portsmouth8
Fouls
Middlesbrough13
Portsmouth7
Final Result
94:09 The referee blows for the end of the match.
Full Time
90:00+3:35 Shot by Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth) drilled right-footed from right channel (18 yards), save (caught) by Jason Steele (Middlesbrough).
90:00+3:09 Attacking throw-in by Tony McMahon (Middlesbrough).
90:00+1:55 Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth) to far post, shot by Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth) right-footed from left side of penalty area (18 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Jason Steele (Middlesbrough).
90:00+1:30 Attacking throw-in by Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth).
90:00+0:51 Goal kick taken long by Jason Steele (Middlesbrough).
90:00+0:10 Defending throw-in by Carl Dickinson (Portsmouth).
88:42 Kris Boyd (Middlesbrough) caught offside. Free kick taken left-footed by Jamie Ashdown (Portsmouth) from own half, resulting in open play.
87:23 Booking Tony McMahon (Middlesbrough) booked for dissent.
87:04 GOAL - Liam Lawrence:Middlesbrough 2 - 2 Portsmouth Power penalty taken right-footed by Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth) (bottom-left of goal), scored.Middlesbrough 2-2 Portsmouth.
85:08 Sent off Barry Robson (Middlesbrough) dismissed for violent conduct.
84:29 Foul by Barry Robson (Middlesbrough) on Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth).
82:30 Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth) to far post, clearance by David Wheater (Middlesbrough).
80:33 Shot by Scott McDonald (Middlesbrough) right-footed from right channel (18 yards), save (caught) by Jamie Ashdown (Portsmouth).
80:08 Defending throw-in by Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth).
78:49 Defending throw-in by Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth).
78:24 Defending throw-in by Tony McMahon (Middlesbrough).
78:00 Defending throw-in by Tony McMahon (Middlesbrough).
77:37 Foul by Scott McDonald (Middlesbrough) on Dave Kitson (Portsmouth). Free kick taken right-footed by Michael Brown (Portsmouth) from left channel, resulting in open play.
76:41 Substitution Middlesbrough substitution: Gary O'Neil replaced by Leroy Lita (tactical).
76:27 Defending throw-in by Carl Dickinson (Portsmouth).
75:29 Attacking throw-in by Michael Brown (Portsmouth).
74:54 Foul by Nicky Bailey (Middlesbrough) on Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth). Free kick crossed right-footed by Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth) from right wing, clearance by David Wheater (Middlesbrough).
74:11 Corner from right by-line taken short right-footed by Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth). Attacking throw-in by Carl Dickinson (Portsmouth).
74:01 Attacking throw-in by Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth).
73:48 Cross by Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth), clearance by David Wheater (Middlesbrough).
73:01 Booking Nicky Bailey (Middlesbrough) booked for unsporting behaviour.
72:39 Foul by Gary O'Neil (Middlesbrough) on John Utaka (Portsmouth). Free kick taken right-footed by Carl Dickinson (Portsmouth) from left wing, resulting in open play.
72:06 Defending throw-in by Carl Dickinson (Portsmouth).
70:12 Shot by David Nugent (Portsmouth) curled right-footed from right side of penalty area (18 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Jason Steele (Middlesbrough).
69:45 Cross by Gary O'Neil (Middlesbrough), header by Scott McDonald (Middlesbrough) from left channel (18 yards), save (caught) by Jamie Ashdown (Portsmouth).
68:10 Substitution Portsmouth substitution: Joel Ward replaced by Nwankwo Kanu (tactical).
67:47 Cross by Stephen McManus (Middlesbrough), header by Kris Boyd (Middlesbrough) from left side of penalty area (12 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Jamie Ashdown (Portsmouth).
67:08 Attacking throw-in by Tony McMahon (Middlesbrough).
65:41 Shot by Kris Boyd (Middlesbrough) right-footed from left channel (18 yards), save (parried) by Jamie Ashdown (Portsmouth).
64:56 Cross by Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth), resulting in ball out of play. Goal kick taken long by Jason Steele (Middlesbrough).
63:37 Cross by Gary O'Neil (Middlesbrough), clearance by Ricardo Rocha (Portsmouth).
63:08 Defending throw-in by Carl Dickinson (Portsmouth).
62:09 Goal kick taken long by Jason Steele (Middlesbrough).
59:55 Assist (cross) by Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth) from right wing.Foul by Tony McMahon (Middlesbrough) on John Utaka (Portsmouth). Free kick crossed right-footed by Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth) from left channel, clearance by Stephen McManus (Middlesbrough).
59:55 GOAL - David Nugent:Middlesbrough 2 - 1 Portsmouth Headed goal by David Nugent (Portsmouth) (bottom-right of goal) from right channel (18 yards).Middlesbrough 2-1 Portsmouth.
58:52 Attacking throw-in by Nicky Bailey (Middlesbrough).
58:01 Foul by Carl Dickinson (Portsmouth) on Gary O'Neil (Middlesbrough). Free kick taken left-footed by Barry Robson (Middlesbrough) from right wing, resulting in open play.
56:36 Dave Kitson (Portsmouth) caught offside. Free kick taken right-footed by Jason Steele (Middlesbrough) from own half, resulting in open play.
56:20 Cross by Michael Brown (Portsmouth), clearance by Stephen McManus (Middlesbrough).
55:15 Free kick crossed right-footed by Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth) from right channel, clearance by Gary O'Neil (Middlesbrough).
55:15 Booking Matthew Bates (Middlesbrough) booked for unsporting behaviour.
54:56 Foul by Matthew Bates (Middlesbrough) on Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth).
54:37 Cross by Carl Dickinson (Portsmouth), clearance by David Wheater (Middlesbrough).
Correction - 53:53 Kris Boyd has an effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the left of the target.
53:53 Shot by Kris Boyd (Middlesbrough) right-footed from right side of penalty area (12 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Jamie Ashdown (Portsmouth).
51:43 Cross by Nicky Bailey (Middlesbrough), header by Kris Boyd (Middlesbrough) from right side of penalty area (12 yards), save (caught) by Jamie Ashdown (Portsmouth).
50:34 Goal kick taken long by Jason Steele (Middlesbrough).
50:34 Substitution Middlesbrough substitution: Andy Halliday replaced by Nicky Bailey (tactical).
49:41 Foul by Mickael Tavares (Middlesbrough) on Dave Kitson (Portsmouth). Free kick taken right-footed by Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth) from right channel (18 yards), missed right.
49:27 Attacking throw-in by Joel Ward (Portsmouth).
48:55 Kris Boyd (Middlesbrough) caught offside. Free kick taken left-footed by Jamie Ashdown (Portsmouth) from own half, resulting in open play.
48:29 Goal kick taken long by Jamie Ashdown (Portsmouth).
47:32 Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Barry Robson (Middlesbrough) to centre, header by Andy Halliday (Middlesbrough) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), over the bar.
46:08 Cross by Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth), save (caught) by Jason Steele (Middlesbrough).
45:46 Cross by John Utaka (Portsmouth), clearance by Stephen McManus (Middlesbrough).
45:15 Cross by Carl Dickinson (Portsmouth), clearance by Matthew Bates (Middlesbrough).
45:01 The referee blows his whistle to start the second half.
45:00+2:02 It is the end of the first-half.
Half Time
45:00+0:57 Foul by Joel Ward (Portsmouth) on Scott McDonald (Middlesbrough). Free kick crossed right-footed by Gary O'Neil (Middlesbrough) from left wing, save (caught) by Jamie Ashdown (Portsmouth).
45:00+0:35 Attacking throw-in by Matthew Bates (Middlesbrough).
45:00+0:14 Defending throw-in by Matthew Bates (Middlesbrough).
43:33 Foul by Gary O'Neil (Middlesbrough) on Carl Dickinson (Portsmouth). Free kick taken right-footed by Carl Dickinson (Portsmouth) from left channel, resulting in open play.
43:00 Booking Dave Kitson (Portsmouth) booked for unsporting behaviour.
42:49 Foul by Scott McDonald (Middlesbrough) on Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth). Free kick taken left-footed by Jamie Ashdown (Portsmouth) from own half, resulting in open play.
42:14 Foul by Dave Kitson (Portsmouth) on David Wheater (Middlesbrough). Free kick taken right-footed by Jason Steele (Middlesbrough) from own half, resulting in open play.
41:28 GOAL - Barry Robson:Middlesbrough 2 - 0 Portsmouth Power penalty taken left-footed by Barry Robson (Middlesbrough) (top-left of goal), scored.Middlesbrough 2-0 Portsmouth.
39:56 Cross by Gary O'Neil (Middlesbrough), foul by Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth) on Scott McDonald (Middlesbrough).
38:38 Attacking throw-in by Matthew Bates (Middlesbrough).
37:07 Shot by Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth) right-footed from right channel (20 yards), blocked by Andy Halliday (Middlesbrough). Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth) to centre, clearance by Tony McMahon (Middlesbrough).
36:18 Outswinging corner from left by-line taken left-footed by Barry Robson (Middlesbrough) to centre, clearance by Ricardo Rocha (Portsmouth).
35:20 Attacking throw-in by Carl Dickinson (Portsmouth).
35:01 Attacking throw-in by Carl Dickinson (Portsmouth).
34:34 Attacking throw-in by Joel Ward (Portsmouth).
33:43 Foul by Kris Boyd (Middlesbrough) on Ricardo Rocha (Portsmouth). Free kick taken left-footed by Jamie Ashdown (Portsmouth) from own half, resulting in open play.
33:13 Shot by David Nugent (Portsmouth) right-footed from right side of penalty area (20 yards), over the bar. David Nugent (Portsmouth) caught offside. Free kick taken right-footed by Jason Steele (Middlesbrough) from own half, resulting in open play.
32:28 Attacking throw-in by Joel Ward (Portsmouth).
32:16 Defending throw-in by Matthew Bates (Middlesbrough).
32:01 Attacking throw-in by Michael Brown (Portsmouth).
31:16 Attacking throw-in by Matthew Bates (Middlesbrough).
28:23 Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth) to centre, clearance by Kris Boyd (Middlesbrough).
28:23 GOAL - Matthew Bates:Middlesbrough 1 - 0 Portsmouth goal by Matthew Bates (Middlesbrough) right-footed (bottom-left of goal) from right side of penalty area (18 yards).Middlesbrough 1-0 Portsmouth.
26:34 Foul by Joel Ward (Portsmouth) on Andy Halliday (Middlesbrough). Free kick taken right-footed by Barry Robson (Middlesbrough) from left channel, shot by Kris Boyd (Middlesbrough) right-footed from left channel (18 yards), save (parried) by Jamie Ashdown (Portsmouth). Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Barry Robson (Middlesbrough) to near post,
Correction - 25:35 The offside flag is raised against David Nugent. Free kick taken by Jason Steele.
25:35 David Nugent (Portsmouth) caught offside. Free kick taken right-footed by Jason Steele (Middlesbrough) from own half, resulting in open play.
24:28 Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth) to centre, clearance by David Wheater (Middlesbrough).
24:23 Cross by Carl Dickinson (Portsmouth), clearance by Matthew Bates (Middlesbrough).
23:09 Attacking throw-in by Matthew Bates (Middlesbrough).
22:55 Defending throw-in by Joel Ward (Portsmouth).
22:31 Attacking throw-in by Matthew Bates (Middlesbrough).
22:19 Cross by John Utaka (Portsmouth), resulting in open play.
22:00 Attacking throw-in by Carl Dickinson (Portsmouth).
21:16 Foul by Mickael Tavares (Middlesbrough) on Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth). Free kick crossed right-footed by Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth) from left channel, clearance by Mickael Tavares (Middlesbrough).
20:59 Attacking throw-in by John Utaka (Portsmouth).
20:28 Foul by Mickael Tavares (Middlesbrough) on John Utaka (Portsmouth). Free kick taken right-footed by Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth) from left wing, resulting in open play.
Correction - 17:19 Free kick awarded for a foul by David Wheater on Dave Kitson. Direct strike on goal from the free kick comes in from Liam Lawrence, save made by Jason Steele. Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Liam Lawrence from the right by-line, clearance made by David Wheater.
17:19 Foul by David Wheater (Middlesbrough) on Dave Kitson (Portsmouth). Free kick taken right-footed by Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth) from right channel (25 yards), save (parried) by Jason Steele (Middlesbrough). Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth) to centre, clearance by David Wheater (Middlesbrough). Attacking throw-in by Michael Brown (Portsmouth).
15:48 Cross by Gary O'Neil (Middlesbrough), shot by Barry Robson (Middlesbrough) right-footed from left channel (30 yards), save (parried) by Jamie Ashdown (Portsmouth). Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Barry Robson (Middlesbrough) to near post, clearance by David Nugent (Portsmouth).
15:03 Attacking throw-in by Tony McMahon (Middlesbrough).
13:54 Defending throw-in by Matthew Bates (Middlesbrough).
13:38 Attacking throw-in by Joel Ward (Portsmouth).
13:20 Defending throw-in by Joel Ward (Portsmouth).
12:24 Shot by Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth) left-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Jason Steele (Middlesbrough).
11:30 Attacking throw-in by Joel Ward (Portsmouth).
11:14 Defending throw-in by Carl Dickinson (Portsmouth).
10:37 Corner from right by-line taken short left-footed by Barry Robson (Middlesbrough). Clearance by Ricardo Rocha (Portsmouth).
9:48 Shot by Carl Dickinson (Portsmouth) right-footed from left channel (20 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Jason Steele (Middlesbrough).
9:28 Attacking throw-in by Joel Ward (Portsmouth).
9:01 Defending throw-in by Joel Ward (Portsmouth).
8:18 Goal kick taken long by Jason Steele (Middlesbrough).
7:10 Substitution Middlesbrough substitution: Kevin Thomson replaced by Mickael Tavares (injury).
7:02 Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth) to short, resulting in open play.
4:05 Foul by Michael Brown (Portsmouth) on Kevin Thomson (Middlesbrough). Free kick taken right-footed by Matthew Bates (Middlesbrough) from own half, resulting in open play.
3:29 Defending throw-in by Tony McMahon (Middlesbrough).
3:17 Defending throw-in by Carl Dickinson (Portsmouth).
2:33 Foul by Michael Brown (Portsmouth) on Kevin Thomson (Middlesbrough). Free kick taken left-footed by Jason Steele (Middlesbrough) from own half, resulting in open play. Shot by Dave Kitson (Portsmouth) left-footed from left channel (30 yards), save (caught) by Jason Steele (Middlesbrough).
0:46 Attacking throw-in by Carl Dickinson (Portsmouth).
0:29 Attacking throw-in by Carl Dickinson (Portsmouth).
0:18 Defending throw-in by Carl Dickinson (Portsmouth).
0:03 Defending throw-in by Carl Dickinson (Portsmouth).
0:00 The match begins.
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