And only a bizarre penalty incident when Aiyegbeni Yakubu netted his ninth goal of the season from a three-times taken spot-kick on the hour saved Portsmouth’s proud home record from another damaging dent after Damien Francis had given the East Anglians the lead just four minutes after Marc Edworthy’s early dismissal.

The Canaries commitment to the survival cause must have warmed the cockles of their supporters’ hearts as they stood in a rain-blown gale at the open end of Fratton Park.

And although Pompey had tons of territorial advantage, the visitors came close to pulling off a shock success.

Goalkeeper Robert Green unveiled his England goalkeeping credentials with some splendid saves, notably from substitute Valery Mezague, skipper Arjan de Zeeuw and midfielder Gary O’Neil in the closing minutes.

But Norwich proved a 4-5-1 – and later 4-4-1 system – can be an attacking format.

Mattias Jonson’s dangerous cross was headed out by Andy Griffin in the opening minute and then Shaka Hislop got down to block a blast from outside the box by David Bentley even before Edworthy was sent packing in only the fifth minute.

In a lightning Pompey break, Yakubu pounced on Simon Charlton’s error and put co-striker Diomansy Kamara away down the centre where last defender Edworthy brought him down and gave referee Phil Down no option but to produce Norwich’s first red card this season.

Yet it was Canaries who grabbed the lead brilliantly in the ninth minute through Francis, another of their comeback stars. Darren Huckerby raced down the left to send in a cross which de Zeeuw only half-cleared.

And Francis was onto the loose ball quickly, letting it bounce once before volleying into the top corner.

It was a great way to return the former Wimbledon player after six weeks out with a fractured cheekbone but Norwich needed their other comeback men just as much.

Portsmouth almost equalised two minutes later when Yakubu’s far-post header went just wide.

Charlton, who had given the ball away in the lead up to Edworthy’s early exit, saved Norwich when he took a Berger shot off the line after good work by Matt Taylor who soon provided another fine cross which had Norwich at full stretch.

But the depleted visitors made just as many chances with Hislop having to react well to deny Huckerby who had the ball in the Pompey net again on 28 minutes only for McKenzie to be pulled up for a foul on Linvoy Primus.

Kamara hit a low drive from 18 yards which Green clearly turned behind but referee Dowd stunned Pompey by awarding a goal-kick and Steve Stone ruined a promising position for Portsmouth, lifting his cross over the bar after a smart link-up between O’Neil and Kamara.

Pompey huffed and puffed after the break but it was not until Craig Fleming was controversially ruled to have handled a de Zeeuw header that they equalised.

Even then, Yakubu needed three attempts to slot it home into the same corner after players encroached.

Green’s authoritative saves in the remaining half-hour gave Norwich all the stomach they needed for a brave fight and a point.