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Portsmouth and West Brom shared a frantic 2-2 draw in their relegation clash at Fratton Park.

The hosts led at half-time thanks to a Younes Kaboul wonder goal, but the match was turned on its head in the second half thanks to strikes from West Brom's Jonathan Greening and Chris Brunt.

But the Baggies held the lead for just two minutes as a stunning free-kick from Niko Kranjcar secured the hosts a point.

Portsmouth's first-half lead was fully merited as Jermaine Pennant, back from injury to replace the suspended Glen Johnson, caused West Brom all sorts of problems in the opening exchanges.

With just six minutes gone a Pennant cross from the right was cleared straight to Kaboul, who showed his attacking intent with a low shot that whistled only inches wide of Scott Carson's right-hand post.

Portsmouth then had a decent shout for a penalty turned down on 19 minutes when James Morrison handled Hermann Hreidarsson's cross inside the West Brom box - but referee Mike Dean ruled that the contact was unintentional.

Morrison's luck was in again moments later when a Sol Campbell error presented him with a run at goal. The winger did well to round Sylvain Distin to get a shot in on goal, and his effort was only kept out by an exceptional save from David James low to his left.

At the other end, Kranjcar hit Carson's right-hand post with a low shot after being teed up by a clever short corner from the right.

Portsmouth were finally rewarded for all their good work in the 33rd minute when a lovely flick by Pennant sent Kaboul charging into the area on the right. The big defender then showed great composure to nutmeg a backtracking Greening and fire the ball into the top-left corner of Carson's goal.

But a howler from keeper James saw Pompey throw away their lead just moments into the second period. A tame, deflected shot from Morrison seemed to present England's number one with little to worry about, but James kicked the ball straight back to Morrison inside the six-yard box.

James managed to parry the West Brom man's snapshot, but the rebound fell to Greening, who tucked the ball into an unguarded net.

Brunt then gave the visitors the lead with a powerful left-footed free-kick from inside the 'D' on the edge of the Portsmouth area after Mullins had fouled Greening.

But anything Brunt could do, Kranjcar could do better. Just two minutes after taking the lead, West Brom conceded a free-kick 25 yards out, and Portsmouth's Croatian schemer duly curled a sensational shot into the top-left corner of the West Brom net.

Kranjcar was quickly brought down to Earth though as he powered the ball high and wide after latching on to a Peter Crouch knockdown on Portsmouth's very next attack.

With West Brom the more desperate side for the three points, the Baggies pushed for a winner in the final 25 minutes but failed to create a chance of note despite forcing a number of free-kicks around the hosts' box.

The result leaves West Brom seven points from safety at the foot of the table. While Portsmouth sit 14th, they are still just four points clear of the bottom three.

Ben Phillips / Eurosport