After four successive Barclays Premier League defeats under new boss Tony Adams Pompey again came up short despite dominating most of a scrappy struggle.

Johnson said: "I'm very proud of the lads for the way they competed at this level. We didn't come here believing all the publicity surrounding Portsmouth.

"Whatever Pompey's problems might be we still faced a side containing some world-class players and we matched them man-for-man all over the pitch.

"You come into the FA Cup with the opportunity to enhance your side's reputation by getting results like this and I think all of them did a great job."

Adams was without main striker Jermain Defoe, a victim of influenza amid heavy speculation linking him with a return to Tottenham in the January transfer window.

Adams was also missing injured right-back Glen Johnson and tough midfielder Papa Bouba Diop having agreed to sell French star Lassana Diarra to Real Madrid for £20million.

But he said: "I take plenty of positives from this game because the important thing for me was a clean sheet.

"We've been committing suicide in matches recently, getting beaten three and four-one because we have bombed forward trying to win them.

"But last week at Arsenal we showed we can be difficult to beat and I thought the same system of play and the same players deserved another go today.

"Jermain was out with 'flu and I didn't have to make the decision whether to bring him back but I also lost Papa and Richard Hughes through injuries and had to make some changes in any case.

"Jermain is not very well but hopefully we will see him at training on Monday.

"But today was about us staying resilient, staying strong and we got it right at the back again this time. We are still in the competition, we are still the cup holders and I'm positive about the replay as well as positive about playing Manchester City next weekend.

"We had enough chances to win the game today but City are a good side, well organised by Gary Johnson and we had some close calls against five Championship sides in the FA Cup last season."

Johnson, who was without strikers Nicky Maynard and Michael McIndoe through injuries, revealed he was "roasted" by the fourth official for running onto the pitch to put the ball back in play after an infringement, said: "It was a surprise to see Portsmouth playing the same system as us with just one up front.

"But we still had to compete and Jamie McCombe was magnificent in the job he did marking Peter Crouch. Our new signing Peter Styvar did a great job, too, in a position he's not used to but they were all superb and we're looking forward to a great atmosphere at Ashton Gate in the replay."