Pompey and Bristol City had to settle for a point each after failing to find the net in a gritty game at Ashton Gate.
Steve Cotterill named the same side that defeated Reading in the week with Erik Huseklepp starting on the bench. Perhaps, in hindsight, he would have started the Norwegian as the first half was a drab affair with no real chances and defences well on top.
Thankfully, the second half was more entertaining affair with Pompey piling on the pressure early on. Kitson had a shot that deflected wide when it could quite easily have found the back of the net whilst Lawrence headed a cross straight at goalkeeper Dean Gerken.
Pompey might have been fortunate to have kept a clean sheet after Neil Kilkenny bundled the ball in the net after Ashdown had seemingly failed to grab a routine cross into the box. However, Kilkenny's challenge was deemed a foul by referee Michael Naylor.
Varney came closest to scoring for the visitors when his curling shot crashed against the woodwork whilst Huseklepp came on late and beat his man down the wing before providing a dangerous cross that the City defence eventually cleared.
Benjani also had a chance to score but headed Mullins' cross well over the bar as both teams had to settle for a draw which was probably a fair result. Pompey were marginally the better side going forward overall but on another day the referee might have allowed Kilkenny's goal to stand.
Still, it's another clean sheet thanks to a gutsy defensive display. Mokoena might have been constantly beaten by Jamal Campbell-Ryce but Halford and Pearce were excellent in the centre of defence. Mullins also did well to protect the back four and win the ball in midfield.
Unfortunately there wasn't enough creativity to open up the Robins' defence. Kanu looked tired and wasn't as effective as he was on Tuesday whilst Kitson missed a couple of chances that a "goal poacher" might have scored.
There are still questions over the fitness of Liam Lawrence although he still works hard and the same could be said for Benjani too, though it shouldn't be too long before both are in top condition again.
Pompey fans may only have seen "The Viking" for a few minutes but it looks like he has pace and should be a threat. Hopefully he will start against Cardiff next Saturday.
For now, we can look back on what has been a solid if unspectacular start to the season.
Pompey Player Ratings
Jamie Ashdown: 6 - One good save but might have got away with a fumble.
Aaron Mokoena: 5 - Campbell-Ryce has the better of him for most of the game.
Greg Halford: 7 - Won everything in the air.
Jason Pearce: 7 - Put himself about, looks like a shrewd acquisition.
Tal Ben-Haim: 6 - Solid enough.
Liam Lawrence: 6 - Worked hard but still lacks sharpness.
Hayden Mullins: 7 - Tireless performance.
David Norris: 6 - Seemed to do more defensively than going forward.
Luke Varney: 6 - Quiet at times but very nearly scored.
Kanu: 6 - Good with the ball but didn't see enough of it and looked tired.
Dave Kitson: 6 - Didn't score but looked more confident than usual.
Substitutes
Stephen Henderson
Ricardo Rocha
Joel Ward
Erik Huseklepp (Lawrence 87): N/A - Looked a threat in his brief cameo.
Benjani (Kanu 67): N/A - Still not fit yet.