They say the sign of a good side is one that can grind out results when not at their best - and that's a trend Pompey appear capable of home and away as they look to build a League Two promotion push.

At home to Morecambe they salvaged a point despite defending poorly and going 3-0 down in the first half. Now they have come away from Oxford with a point on a day when they often looked second best and like they were struggling to stay in the game.

Adam McGurk scored for the second Saturday in a row to rescue a point and keep Paul Cook's side third and just a point off leaders Leyton Orient, with all three of the division's leading teams gaining a point on the same day.

There were a couple of changes to the side, Paul Jones and Gareth Evans coming back into the starting line-up to replace injured duo Brian Murphy and Gary Roberts.

It was a fairly forgettable first half of the first half with Pompey enjoying plenty of possession but nothing threatening a goal, and Oxford started to get a foothold in the game as the half wore on.

Liam Sercombe and Danny Hylton both forced Jones into action before the Blues - backed by a travelling army of 2,500 - suffered the blow of losing Conor Chaplin. The youngster looked to have pickd up a knock and hobbled off to be replaced by Matt Tubbs.

Oxford took the lead eight minutes before the break when Liam Sercombe fired past Jones after the visiting defence failed to clear a Danny Rose cross.

As the half ende, if anything it was Oxford who looked most likely to score the next goal and both Kemar Roofe and Johnny Mullins had chances to double the lead. Pompey must have been glad to get into the changing room and regroup.

Adam Barton appeared for his league debut after the break, on in place of Nigel Atangana. And the Blues immiedately looked sharper - possibly with a bit of help from some words of 'encouragement' from Cook at the break - as Evans almost got on the end of a McGurk cross.

Evans then returned the favour to set up McGurk for a half-chance - and McGurk went one better just after the hour when he fizzed home a shot from more than 25 yards. The fact it went in surprised everyone.

For a time it looked like the equaliser might inspire a second goal as Pompey bossed the next period of the game. Kyle Bennett had the best chance but had his shot blocked after the lively McGurk set him up.

Skipper Michael Doyle was sent off for a second yellow card nine minutes from time but Oxford never really threatened to make use of the one-man advantage - and ultimately neither team could have many complaints at taking a point.

It leaves Pompey with two wins and two draws on the road - the same as their record at home. It's 16 points from eight games - and we all know what an average of two points per game will mean if it can be sustained.

Next up it's a trip to Bristol Rovers next Saturday.

Pompey: Jones; Davies, Burgess, Clarke, Stevens; Atangana (Barton 46), Doyle; Bennett (Hollands 82, Chaplin (Tubbs 30), Evans; McGurk. Subs not used: Bass, Webster, Naismith, Stockley.

Referee: Iain Williamson

Attendance: 9,093 (2,459 Pompey fans)

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