Pearce grabs late equaliser for Cottagers

Injured Ian Pearce claimed a dramatic late Fulham equaliser after Niko Kranjcar’s first goal in English football had raised Portsmouth’s hopes of their first away win since West Ham on Boxing Day.

Defender Pearce was carried off in the 66th minute with a knee injury after Fulham had used all three substitutes.

But he came back on and went forward to get on the end of ex-Pompey star Alexey Smertin’s solo run, crashing the ball home via a deflection off Linvoy Primus.

Pearce bravely limped back on for Fulham but looked barely mobile.

Montella steered a half-chance wide after a run by John on the left but despite Fulham’s late pressure it was Pompey who went closest to adding to the score.

Svetoslav Todorov on as a substitute for the first time since August and twice tested Niemi before Taylor blazed over.

But in the second minute of stoppage time limping hero Pearce hit Fulham’s equaliser via at least one deflection off Primus after Smertin’s solo run set up the chance.