Wycombe Wanderers recorded their fourth clean sheet in five matches as they drew 0-0 away at Portsmouth.
The Chairboys were the better side throughout the contest but the draw means they are now winless in seven league visits to Fratton Park.
The first half lacked any real quality from both sides, but it was the away outfit that had the game’s first chance.
A beautiful day on the south coast as Wycombe get ready for their trip to Portsmouth #Chairboys #Pompey pic.twitter.com/jUYSX1maBb
— James Richings 🏴🇲🇾 (@James_BFP) March 19, 2022
Daryl Horgan and Joe Jacobson linked up well to find Garath McCleary.
However, the attacking midfielder blazed his shot from 25-yards well over the goal on what was his 50th league start for the club on six minutes.
Seven minutes later, Ryan Tafazolli saw his header caught by Gavin Bazunu in the Pompey goal, and this was the best it got until just after the half-hour mark, when the Chairboys had a glorious chance to take the lead.
Horgan, who has become a man reborn, brilliantly found Anis Mehmeti who was clean through on goal.
The Albanian raced through but with only Bazunu to beat, the Irish goalkeeper made himself big and produced a brilliant save to deny the 21-year-old.
33 - Massive chance for Wycombe! Horgan brilliant picks out Anis Mehmeti who is clean through on goal, but Bazunu makes himself big to deny the Albanian. It's the first real moment where either keeper has had to make a save. #Chairboys #Pompey
— James Richings 🏴🇲🇾 (@James_BFP) March 19, 2022
🔵 0-0 🪑
It was the best chance of the contest by a county mile.
Wanderers continued to pile on the pressure as Horgan, Mehmeti and Anthony Stewart all tried their luck before the break, but both sides went in at half-time goalless.
The second period once again saw Wanderers dominate the ball and have the vast majority of the chances.
Seven minutes in, Tafazolli headed wide from a Jacobson corner, before McCleary's effort trickled inches past the post with Bazunu beaten on minute 55.
The Chairboys were not holding back as they continued to try and find that elusive strike on the south coast and on 61 minutes, they thought they had taken the lead.
Sam Vokes managed to brilliant go around the committed Bazunu and fired his shot on goal.
61 - Is this goal going to come?! Sam Vokes brilliant gets around Bazunu but the goalkeeper gets down low to deny him. Also, a change for Wycombe as Mehmeti is off and Hanlan is on. #Chairboys #Pompey
— James Richings 🏴🇲🇾 (@James_BFP) March 19, 2022
🔵 0-0 🪑
However, the keeper managed to recover brilliantly to deny the Welshman what was another certain goal.
The introduction of Brandon Hanlan on the hour mark injected an increase of energy and urgency to the Wanderers forward lined, as they continued to push for that all and important winner, and they thought they got it with 13 minutes remaining.
Lewis Wing, who has scored twice since his move from Middlesbrough in January, saw his 25-yard free-kick fly towards the top corner, but, Bazunu again was on hand to deny the Chairboys.
There was a tense moment with six minutes left as Ronan Curtis smashed his effort into the side netting, but it finished as a score draw at Fratton Park.
FT: Portsmouth 0-0 Wycombe Wanderers.
— James Richings 🏴🇲🇾 (@James_BFP) March 19, 2022
Four clean sheets in five for the #Chairboys as they continue their promotion push. The draw means they are winless in seven league fixtures at #Pompey's Fratton Park.
This means Wanderers are now unbeaten in five, whilst Portsmouth are also unbeaten at home in six matches.
Wycombe are now on 66 points for the season and are two places off the play-offs.
Attendance: 15,092
Away: 958
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here