Everything was in place for the local derby - Saints in red and white, Pompey in blue, fans baying for a home win, Gordon and Harry in the stands - but this was most definitely the calm before the storm.

Perhaps last week's Carling Cup draw which paired Saints with their greatest rivals took the emphasis off off this reserve match somewhat, but as far as derbies go it was pretty tame.

It was probably unfair to expect it to be blood and thunder - it is only a reserve team fixture after all and both sides had plenty of youth players out.

But, while there will be so much passion in the stands of St Mary's come December 2, perhaps the controlled manner of the players was what we may expect from the first team where both sides will be looking for the win.

In this game Pompey had the better of the first half, while Saints were in charge for much of the second.

The first 45 was very unlike Saints reserves this season, who have lost only once and are now unbeaten in nine.

They struggled to find a rhythm and get their quick and fluent passing game going.

Pompey posed most of the questions and in particular Graham Rix first team regular Courtney Pitt caused a few problems. Alan Blayney stopped from him on 12 minutes, 27 and 38.

Saints did create a few openings with Dexter Blackstock, who limped off after half an hour, heading over from close range, Yoann Folly turning his shot over the bar and Danny Higginbotham drilling a free-kick which bounced just in front and then off of Pavel Srnicek in the Pompey goal.

Saints did eventually fall behind three minutes into the second half when Warren Hunt got clear in the area, appeals for offside were turned down, and finished across the helpless Blayney.

But Steve Wigley's men got their game going again, kick-started by midfield men David Prutton and Leandre Griffit.

The 19-year-old Frenchman continued to press his claims for a first team spot by showing the spark and creativity that the senior side lacked at the weekend.

On 50 minutes Srnicek got down well to his low shot and after 57 he showed great skill to fool defenders all over the shop and put in a great cross that was just cut out.

Liam Horstead missed a great chance to probably seal the win for Pompey on 57 minutes when he allowed Blayney to make a good save when through on goal and then Saints really pressed for their equaliser.

Srnicek saved from Griffit and Prutton before the goal came.

With 12 minutes remaining Griffit's far post free-kick was headed back across goal by Danny Higginbotham for the incoming Arron Davies, who reacted quickly after his first effort was saved to turn home and ensure there are no bragging rights down the M27 before the big one in December.

SAINTS: Alan Blayney, Darren Kenton, Garry Monk, Danny Higginbotham, Simon Gillett, Arron Davies, David Prutton, Yoann Folly (Michael Green 85), Leandre Griffit, Dexter Blackstock (Andrew Surman 30), Leon Best (Matthew Mills 68). Unused: Michael Poke, Francis Benali. Booked: Higginbotham (dissent 41), Monk (foul 84).

POMPEY: Pavel Srnicek, Ryan Hughes, Gary Silk, Terry Parker, Scott Harris, Carl Pettefer, Mark Wilson (Darryl Fordyce 63), Liam Horstead (James Keene 75), Warren Hunt, Courtney Pitt. Unused: Luke Whiteley, Craig Bradshaw. Booked: Hunt (foul 13), Parker (foul 45).

Ref: R East.

Att: 3,201.