Portsmouth manager John Mousinho was relieved to see his side take a point from their top-of-the-table clash at home to nearest challengers Derby after twice coming from behind to draw 2-2 at Fratton Park.
Substitute Owen Moxon’s 25-yard screamer 13 minutes from time ensured the League One leaders took a share of the spoils to move a step closer to sealing promotion to the Championship.
Mousinho said: “Having gone behind twice it always feels like a decent enough point.
“I just think overall we probably had enough of it but did not dominate the ball enough, but I thought on the whole, it was pretty good performance against a really good side so we will take the point and move on.
“We’ve just got to follow it up with a win at the weekend (against Shrewsbury).
“Derby sat in and they made it difficult for us, were really tough for us to break down and they countered us with pace. You have to deal with that and I didn’t think we dealt with it brilliantly.
“The first goal was a brilliant move and probably the first time we’ve properly moved it from side to side. I was really pleased with both goals; two very different goals because one was about a team move and the other one was a brilliant strike from the edge of the box.”
Derby went in front in the 23rd minute when the unmarked Joe Ward drove the ball beyond home goalkeeper Will Norris following a quick counter.
The lead only lasted four minutes as Colby Bishop flicked a delightful ball through for Abu Kamara to confidently slot home.
The Rams regained the lead 10 minutes before half-time as Ward’s effort from outside the box took a deflection before finding the corner.
In the 77th minute substitute Moxon latched onto a loose ball and thrashed the ball beyond Joe Wildsmith from distance to draw the hosts level.
The result keeps Pompey five points clear of Derby with five games to play, with third-placed Bolton a further four behind the Rams.
Derby boss Paul Warne said: “I’m not too frustrated at the point.
“If you had told me before the game we would come away with a point, I would have taken that. But it is disappointing to lead twice and not win.
“We’ve played a motivated, highly fit, confident, and well-organised side. The league table shows you that.
“We scored two goals and thought that it was enough to win the game, but we’ve conceded to a screamer which is disappointing as Joe (Wildsmith) hasn’t had a lot to do tonight.
“I think they’ve run out of ideas, which is why they’ve had to attempt shots from 30 yards. The players have worked so hard and I’m proud of them.”