A first-half goal from Tom Nichols helped Exeter City pick-up a hard-earned draw against Portsmouth in their opening League Two game of the season.
Nichols swivelled and volleyed the Grecians into the lead after 27 minutes, but the visitors were good value for their point with a dominant second half performance.
They had plenty of chances to have won the game, but Jed Wallace's fortuitous equaliser was all they had to show for their efforts.
Such was the extent of Exeter's injury and illness situation going into the game is that manager Paul Tisdale named himself on the bench.
Jordan Tillson started as one of three centre halves, Aaron Dawson got the nod at right wing-back, while there were welcome returns from injury for captain Scot Bennett and Liam Sercombe.
Pompey included three players with Exeter connections. Goalkeeper Paul Jones, midfielder James Dunne and striker Ryan Taylor, who spent time on loan at St James' Park in 2010, all started in a strong looking side.
Wallace had the first effort at goal for Pompey, but after some tricky wing play, he drilled his shot into the side-netting and he was off-target again moments later with a shot from distance.
The ninth minute of the game was marked by Exeter fans remembering the late Adam Stansfield with a round of applause and the visiting Pompey fans followed suit on 13 minutes to remember their late goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan.
The game itself was scrappy with Exeter struggling to do anything in the final third. When they did, Matt Grimes' cross-shot drifted wide of goal, while Andy Barcham skied high for Pompey.
However, the deadlock was broken against the run of play and with Exeter's first proper effort at goal on 27 minutes. Keohane picked up a quickly-taken free-kick and laid the ball back to Woodman, whose low cross found its way to Nichols, who rammed the ball into the net with his left foot from eight yards.
The goal gave Exeter confidence and they began to settle into the game. Dawson tried his luck from distance, but his shot was blocked and a strange clearance by Craig Westcarr, which went out for a corner, indicated Pompey were rattled.
They did fashion one opportunity before the break when Taylor flicked on a long throw and Westcarr headed over from close range.
Keohane then brought the half to a close with a shot on the turn that was easily saved by Jones at his near post.
Pompey upped the tempo at the start of the second half and moved the ball much quicker. Jack Whatmough was off target with a header from a corner and Westcarr shot straight at Pym.
The warning signs were there for Exeter. Wallace tried his luck from distance, but Pym was equal to it and a rare Exeter attack led to a thumping drive from Sercombe that Jones palmed over the bar.
Pompey's best chance came when Bennett slipped and Barcham ran through on goal. Dawson tried to hold him back, but the forward got his shot in and Pym stayed big to make a crucial save.
City then came close to a stunning second Nichols killed Pym's clearance with a majestic first touch and fed the surging Sercombe. He ran at the heart of the Pompey defence and into the penalty are, but just as he was about to shoot, Pompey got a block in to deny him a glorious goal.
Pompey always looked the more likely to score though and with 16 minutes remaining, they got their equaliser. Wallace picked the ball up on the right and cut in-field. He delivered a low cross shot that eluded everyone and nestled in the bottom corner.
Pompey were cranking up the pressure at this point and City were struggling as the outstanding Nichols was forced off with cramp.
Substitute Ryan Bird almost connected with a cross as the game drifted into stoppage time and Wallace smashed over from 10 yards as the visitors continued to pour forward. But Exeter managed to hang on for a point.
Exeter City (5-3-2): Pym; Dawson, Bennett, Baldwin, Tillson, Woodman; Sercombe (Butterfield 86), Oakley, Grimes; Keohane, Nichols (Wheeler 80). Substitutes (not used): Hamon (gk), Tisdale, Watkins, Davies, Pope.
Portsmouth (4-2-3-1): Jones; Webster, Chorley, Whatmough, Shorey; Dunne, Hollands; Wallace, Westcarr (Atangana 60), Barcham (Storey 72) ; Taylor (Bird 88). Substitutes (not used): Poke (gk), Wynter, Robinson, Awford.
