Bristol City hung on for a draw at Fratton Park yesterday that has left Pompey's Championship survival hopes in tatters.
The Blues dominated the second half but, like many games this season, couldn't find the target in a game that was dubbed "must win" by many.
The first half was your typical bottom-of-the-table affair with both teams going forward but a lack of quality meant that meaningful chances were at a premium.
David James marked his return to Fratton Park by tipping over David Norris' shot but that's about as good as it got for us. At the other end, Bristol City might have taken the lead themselves if it wasn't for Pearce being alert to steal the ball from Stephen Pearson when he looked odds on to score.
There was a goalmouth scramble at the end of the first half too but a poor Robins side couldn't take advantage of some slack defending and Pompey got away with it.
The second half saw a barrage of attacks come towards the Fratton End as it was one-way traffic. However, James only had to make one or two saves which should tell you all you need to know.
The best of the former ex-Pompey keeper's saves came when he got fingertips to Chris Maguire's drive from the narrowest of angles. The Scot, starting his first game for the club, came close again from the same area but lashed his shot into the side netting.
Maguire was having some real joy down City's right side and again got into that area but instead squared the ball to Norris who really should have scored but could only scuff the ball straight into the arms of James.
Luke Varney was guilty of missing a couple of excellent chances, sending a free header over the bar and skewing a shot in the box wide when he should have hit the target.
Come stoppage time there was one last chance as Pompey piled men forward and Joel Ward's strike was unfortunately deflected wide when it looked to have been going on target.
Jamie Ashdown came up for the last corner of the game but James caught the ball and may well have lumped it into an empty net had Jason Pearce not cynically obstructed him.
But that would have been the biggest suckerpunch of the season, having virtually dominated the second half of the game.
There can't be too many complaints about the performance. The defending was good barring one or two mishaps, the midfield looked better than it has done recently and the approach play was as good as it has been since the 3-0 win away at Peterborough.
However, there is nobody in the team with a goalscoring instinct. Futacs could have come on earlier but I doubt it would have made much difference. Kitson was left out altogether because Appleton believes that the fans' criticism has got to him.
I don't think that is good management as what little of Kitson's confidence will now surely have evaporated. Appy also hints that Benjani and Kanu will never play for the club again because of their fitness issues.
That leaves Varney who can win a header and beat defenders but can't shoot and Maguire who seems to be a very similar player. We simply can't score and that is the reason that, at best, Portsmouth will be playing in League One next season.
However, all those problems were put into perspective yesterday when Fabrice Muamba collapsed on the pitch at White Hart Lane and is now fighting for his life in hospital, whilst life long Pompey fan and PISA member Tony Goodall sadly passed away yesterday.
I spoke to Tony a few times at fans conference meetings and outside Fratton Park. I'm sure he would have had a part to play in Pompey's revival should the club go bust in the summer. My thoughts are with Tony's friends and family at this time.
Pompey Player Ratings
Jamie Ashdown: 6 - One smart save but little else to do.
Greg Halford: 6 - Solid enough.
Jason Pearce: 6 - Always got in the way.
Ricardo Rocha: 6 - Good as always.
Tal Ben-Haim: 7 - Came forward with purpose.
Joel Ward: 6 - Steady showing, almost scored at the death.
David Norris: 6 - Put himself about but should have scored.
George Thorne: 6 - Industrious.
Scott Allan: 6 - Looked lively.
Chris Maguire: 7 - Impressive full debut.
Luke Varney: 6 - Should have scored at least once.
Substitutes
Adam Webster
Ashley Harris
Kelvin Etuhu
Benjani
Marko Futacs (Thorne 83): N/A - Could have been brought on earlier.