Pompey show fight to drag Blackburn into overall scrap

This result somehow changes everything and nothing.

Portsmouth will still need to make shrewd acquisitions in January, while being outside the relegation zone right now is nice but not the most important thing.

They are likely to be battling for their place in the Championship for the rest of the season but anyone departing Fratton Park could see there is real fight in this side and there might be enough quality to survive.

It was a win that came from such unlikely position. One down after an hour against a side with one of the best away records in the division.

At that moment Portsmouth had not scored a goal for more than three-and-a-half games and had not really looked like finding the net.

A brilliant Josh Murphy cross enabled Callum Lang to level. The Fratton Park roar was seriously loud. Then, for once this season a set-piece goal won Pompey a match rather than losing them one.

The noise at the final whistle was one of relief as much as joy. There is no guarantee this season is a success but Pompey have dragged another side into the relegation picture.

The more the merrier down there.