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Portsmouth claimed a point against Middlesbrough at The Riverside in a 1-1 draw, however Steve McClaren's side could easily have secured the win in an exciting encounter.


Pompey took an early lead through a superb goal from Diomansy Kamara and while Stewart Downing, his third of the season, equalised in the second half, only superb keeping from Shaka Hislop kept Boro at bay.

The visitors gave as good as they got over the 90 minutes, however the likes of Downing and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink caused numerous problems on the day and the home side should have scored more.

The first opportunity of the game fell to Boro with Downing sliding in on Hasselbaink's shot at the back post, but the winger could not direct his effort on target.

After six minutes the visitors were in front with a superb individual goal from record signing Kamara.

The former Modena ace collected the ball just inside Boro's half before accelerating away from George Boateng and lashing a left-footed away from Mark Schwarzer and inside his left hand post.

Hasselbaink attempted to bring the home left level with a stinging drive, however his effort was deflected by Linvoy Primus and into Hislop's grateful arms.

Pompey were close to extending their advantage on 35 minutes, but after good work down the right from Tresor Lomana Lua Lua his cross into the middle was just too high for Yakubu Aiyegbeni in the middle.

Boro suffered a blow on 38 minutes when influential midfielder Gaizka Mendieta was forced off through injury following an innocuous challenge with Patrik Berger.

Downing again came close to getting his name on the scoresheet before the break with a superbly struck volley, but Hislop ushered the effort wide for a corner.

The impressive Downing then saw his effort blocked although the rebound fell to Hasselbaink, but the Dutch striker rushed his effort and lashed the shot high and wide.

The home side came out all guns blazing after the interval and only stout defending from Andy Griffin and Dejan Stefanovic kept Mark Viduka out from close range.

From a left wing corner Aiyegbeni was forced into a goal line clearance with Szilard Nemeth's goal-bound header set to nestle in the far post.

Ray Parlour turned in the box at the other end and had a sight of goal, but his left footed effort was scuffed and easily gathered by Hislop.

Kamara could have bagged his second of the game and clinching goal after 75 minutes, when with just Schwarzer to beat he chipped the keeper but his effort was not strong enough and cleared.

Within minutes Nigel Quashie conceded possession in midfield to Downing who ran at the visitors' defence before lashing a fierce drive past Hislop.

It was no more than the home side deserved and they had numerous chances after getting themselves on level terms to win the game.

Firstly Viduka's close-range header was superbly palmed onto the post and then cleared by Primus as Boro were forced to settle for a point.

The point keeps Boro in the upper reaches of the table while Pompey are now six points clear of third from bottom Norwich City.