It was five years since Harry Redknapp became Pompey manager and the match looked set to bring goalkeeper David James the Premiership record of 142 clean sheets after Portsmouth took the lead through Niko Kranjcar's fourth-minute strike.

But then Pearce - whose game looked to be over when he limped off after 66 minutes with Fulham having used all their three subs - hobbled back on after treatment and with 92 minutes on the clock his shot took two deflections before going in as the match ended 1-1.

Redknapp said: "I feel sorry for David James but not half as much as I do for myself.

"There's plenty of time for Jamo to get his record - about 200 games I would think.

"But this feels more like a defeat for us. We had plenty of chances to clinch it after Kranjcar's great strike."

Redknapp, who used to be former Blackburn defender Pearce's manager at West Ham, added: "While it is only 1-0 you are still in danger and it was a fluke goal that robbed us.

"If it hadn't been deflected I don't think it would have reached the goal line.

"We are sitting there thinking it is going to be a massive win for us. I think it would have put us back in sixth place but we can still get there.

"Wherever we finish now it will be a terrific season for us. If it is in the top half it will be the club's best finish for 51 years.

"It is going to be an exciting end to the season but I'm just glad we're not involved in the relegation fight with Charlton and West Ham now finally putting results together.

"That is not our concern, but we thought we had a win in the bag today and we let it slip which is very disappointing."

Fulham manager Chris Coleman admitted Pearce was very nearly not around to make his telling contribution.

He revealed: "I was still thinking of taking Ian off even though we had used three subs because we've still got seven games left.

"But he didn't want to come off. His foot is quite bad and he's gone to hospital to get an X-ray and he's very doubtful for next weekend.

"We've got to be careful but he's been playing so well for us. I asked the physio what was the danger and he said Ian was not going to do himself any good staying on.

"But I'm told he scored with the right foot he injured and that's incredible."

Coleman admitted the visitors had made life difficult for his side.

He added: "We had struggled to break Pompey down. As soon as they scored they started getting 10 behind the ball and I knew we had to start asking them different questions.

"Montella came on and missed a couple of chances and Collins John could have won it for us at the end but for Linvoy Primus getting back in position

"But I think a draw was the least we deserved. The players never hid and were always showing for the ball.

"We didn't start feeling sorry for ourselves and kept going."

Fulham were booed off at the break and have not won in six games but Coleman said: "Maybe I've made a mistake by talking up our chances of finishing in the top ten and made the supporters too expectant.

"We can still do it but it is going to be tough."