Pompey could have climbed to fourth in the table had they recorded their fifth consecutive league win, but Rob Green's plunging save to his left denied the Zimbabwean his sixth goal in four games - and his eighth this season - after Hammers defender Danny Gabbidon was harshly ruled to have handled.

Redknapp also saw striker Kanu miss a spot-kick when Liverpool's Jose Reina saved in last month's goalless draw - the only other time Pompey have failed to win at home this season.

And he said: "Benjani worked his socks off as usual for us but, as for penalties, he won't be taking another one.

"(Niko) Kranjcar or (Sulley) Muntari were down to take any penalties. I wish one of them had.

"Kanu went on as substitute but I've already told him to stop taking penalties after the Liverpool game."

Redknapp added: "I saw Niko with the ball and I was happy with that but Benji must have taken it off him.

"Of course I gave Benji a rollicking. I said 'you are a silly boy' and told him off - but he does so much work that I wish I hadn't rollicked him now. He's been in great form."

The Pompey boss backed referee Mike Dean's controversial decision to award the spot-kick.

He said: "I thought it was a penalty. Gabbidon touched the ball and moved it on with his arm, but coming so late in the game it has got to be a bit harsh.

"West Ham played well and matched us up in midfield. They must have done their homework but we started strong and if we'd scored it might have given them problems.

"But it is another clean sheet, another point and we've had a great month.

"We are not Arsenal or Manchester United or Chelsea - we are not going to batter everybody.

"It was a tight game and they played the same system as us. It is difficult to break down and we are going to get a lot of games like that here now."

West Ham manager Alan Curbishley sung the praises of Green who now looks sure to be a contender, along with Pompey's David James, for the England goalkeeping jersey after Paul Robinson's recent blunders.

The West Ham fans chanted "Green for England" after the former Norwich star saved only his second penalty for West Ham - the first coming at Reading earlier this season.

Green also excelled to keep out Kranjcar and Benjani earlier and Curbishley said: "He's been playing terrifically well for us all season. I think he's always been on the threshold of England and they are fully aware of him.

"Before the last squad announcement, I spoke to Steve McClaren who was interested in Dean Ashton and one or two others and Greenie got a mention.

"The message to Robert now is 'keep going and lets see what happens'. He can't do anything else.

"The penalty save will get the headlines but he made two great saves in the early minutes of the second half that were equally important as far as I'm concerned.

"We're disappointed a bit that we've only got one point but we are pleased with what we've done and it would have been a disaster to have it taken away right at the end. Surely you can only give a penalty at that stage if it is a stonewall one.

"We played well and came here with a gameplan because Portsmouth are playing so well and I think it has paid off."

He added: "It could have been better. Nobby Solano had two great chances with his head, but it is not his forte.

"He hasn't enhanced his reputation in that respect but he worked hard and shows a lot of experience for us and I know he'll be a good signing.

"The last couple of away games we should have got something and we had a hard game against Sunderland last week, but we got far more influence on the game today the longer it went on."

Curbishley, who rested midfielder Lee Bowyer due to a knee injury ahead of Tuesday's League Cup tie at Coventry, lost Craig Bellamy at half-time with "an abdominal strain" after the Wales striker - playing on the right wing - was booked along with Pompey's Hermann Hreidarsson in an unseemly spat.

Bellamy made a fast comeback from groin surgery two weeks ago and played twice for Wales before resuming service with West Ham for the win over Sunderland but may now be sidelined again for a spell.

Curbishley said: "He's got this injury and it is giving him problems. We will have to sort it out but we are used to things like this with Dean Ashton and Bobby Zamora, Scott Parker, Danny Collins and Julien Faubert also on the injury list.

"But Carlton Cole won a few more admirers today. He battled well up front and his shot that came back off the post before Solano's miss was a great effort. At least we are getting the chance to use our squad."