Portsmouth and Oxford United shared a 2-2 draw at Fratton Park after a volatile contest swung repeatedly around an early red card, a second-half Oxford recovery and a late Pompey response. Keshi Anderson gave the home side the lead in the ninth minute, but Connor Ogilvie's dismissal seven minutes later altered the shape of the afternoon.
Oxford eventually made their extra man count through Brodie Spencer and then looked set to take all three points when Will Lankshear headed in his 10th goal of the season in the 81st minute. Yet Portsmouth refused to fold, and Andre Dozzell steered home from Millenic Alli's pullback three minutes from time to leave Pompey holding the place and point advantage over Oxford, with the sides still split by the relegation line.
A frantic opening brings immediate trouble and reward
The pace was set almost from the first whistle, with the ball flying from end to end in a chaotic opening. Yunus Konak speared over the bar for Oxford, while at the other end Ciaron Brown turned a Gustavo Caballero cross against his own post as both teams threatened before either had settled.