Twice Blackburn took the lead through Craig Bellamy but Portsmouth desperate for points to climb out of the bottom three battled back to claim a deserved draw.
Rovers had the ball in the net in injury time but it was a clear handball by Brett Emerton.
For Blackburn this was their second draw in succession and with Tottenham winning earlier in the day their chance of a fourth place finish and an automatic Champions League place appears to be disappearing - a fact acknowledged by boss Mark Hughes.
"It was an exciting game for the neutrals but from our point of view we are disappointed because we've lead the game twice away from home.
"Fratton Park is always a difficult place to come so to be in the lead twice and not see the win out is a negative from our point of view.
"Overall I felt we did enough to win it but credit to Portsmouth, they kept going and they got back on level terms again.
"We are just disappointed because we've got a lead twice and weren't able to protect it, so from that point of view it may be viewed as two points lost.
"They are fighting for their lives so it was always going to be difficult."
A resurgent Pompey went into the game on the back of three successive wins and had long spells of pressure but fell behind twice to the individual brilliance of the Wales international.
But boss Harry Redknapp has instilled some belief in the South Coast side since his return to Fratton Park and equalisers from Lomana Lua Lua and substitute Svetoslav Todorov ensured a share of the spoils.
Despite dropping two home points Redknapp was pleased with the spirit his outfit showed.
"We went behind twice to two super strikes and though I am really disappointed not to have won there is a pride in me at the way we came back.
"They created two chances and scored two goals but I thought we were on top for most of the game.
"Because of the way we played it is two points lost but I can't fault the attitude and performance of our players and I am disappointed for them as much as anyone.
"The crowd were superb and we just could not get a winner for them which I truly feel we deserved.
"We have a lot of games coming up in a short period and I am going to probably have to juggle the side in those games but our spirit is still very much there and I think that showed today.
"I saw a well known Blackburn player in the tunnel and he told me nobody has battered them like we did today.
"When we were 2-1 down you would have taken a point so in that respect it is great. Whilst we needed three points it was important not to lose.
"We showed great character and I can't ask much more than that."
Rovers had the ball in the net in injury time but it was a clear handball by Brett Emerton.
For Blackburn this was their second draw in succession and with Tottenham winning earlier in the day their chance of a fourth place finish and an automatic Champions League place appears to be disappearing - a fact acknowledged by boss Mark Hughes.
"It was an exciting game for the neutrals but from our point of view we are disappointed because we've lead the game twice away from home.
"Fratton Park is always a difficult place to come so to be in the lead twice and not see the win out is a negative from our point of view.
"Overall I felt we did enough to win it but credit to Portsmouth, they kept going and they got back on level terms again.
"We are just disappointed because we've got a lead twice and weren't able to protect it, so from that point of view it may be viewed as two points lost.
"They are fighting for their lives so it was always going to be difficult."
A resurgent Pompey went into the game on the back of three successive wins and had long spells of pressure but fell behind twice to the individual brilliance of the Wales international.
But boss Harry Redknapp has instilled some belief in the South Coast side since his return to Fratton Park and equalisers from Lomana Lua Lua and substitute Svetoslav Todorov ensured a share of the spoils.
Despite dropping two home points Redknapp was pleased with the spirit his outfit showed.
"We went behind twice to two super strikes and though I am really disappointed not to have won there is a pride in me at the way we came back.
"They created two chances and scored two goals but I thought we were on top for most of the game.
"Because of the way we played it is two points lost but I can't fault the attitude and performance of our players and I am disappointed for them as much as anyone.
"The crowd were superb and we just could not get a winner for them which I truly feel we deserved.
"We have a lot of games coming up in a short period and I am going to probably have to juggle the side in those games but our spirit is still very much there and I think that showed today.
"I saw a well known Blackburn player in the tunnel and he told me nobody has battered them like we did today.
"When we were 2-1 down you would have taken a point so in that respect it is great. Whilst we needed three points it was important not to lose.
"We showed great character and I can't ask much more than that."
