Rovers took the lead eight minutes before the break as Jonson Clarke-Harris converted from the spot after he had been brought down. James Clarke headed into his own net as Portsmouth levelled just before the hour before the visitors passed up a glorious chance to retake the advantage. Again, it was Clarke-Harris from 12 yards but this time he blazed over following a foul on Clarke. The point moved Rovers up to 19th ahead of Saturday’s home game against Sunderland.

Also in League One, Josh Clarke missed out on Burton Albion’s 0-0 draw against Barnsley with an ankle injury. Nigel Clough revealed yesterday that Josh will also miss Saturday’s home game against Fleetwood Town but should return to contention next week.

Action in the National League saw both Jarvis Edobor and Justin Shaibu come off the bench in home defeats for Maidstone United and Boreham Wood respectively. Jarvis was introduced at the interval as The Stones were beaten by an 86th minute Scott Quigley strike while Justin was a second-half replacement during The Wood’s 2-0 defeat at home to top-of-the-table Wrexham; Ben Tollitt getting both goals at Meadow Park. There’s no fixture for either side on Saturday with their scheduled opponents involved in FA Trophy action.

Our two League Two loanees do return to action on Saturday with Reece Cole and Macclesfield Town heading to Crawley Town while Canice Carroll’s Swindon Town host Grimsby Town.