SAINTS could only manage a draw with fellow Premiership strugglers West Brom at St Mary's today - and were relieved to get a point in the end.
Steve Wigley, now without a league win in ten matches since taking over as head coach back in August, saw his side build on their draw at Arsenal last week with a strong start.
But Saints needed a deflected equaliser three minutes from time to save themselves from a humiliating defeat.
Midway through the first half everything seemed to be on track for Saints when Anders Svensson headed home the opener.
But only seconds later some lapse defending allowed Robert Earnshaw to head an equaliser and when the Welshman fired home again it left Saints trailing at half-time.
Saints had all the play in the second half but struggled to create any chances.
But, with three minutes left, Svensson salvaged a dramatic point when his low drive struck defender Paul Robinson and deflected past stranded ex-Pompey keeper Russell Hoult.
FOR FULL MATCH REPORTS, PICTURES AND ANALYSIS SEE TONIGHT'S PINK AND MONDAY'S DAILY ECHO.
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