Portsmouth came within a whisker of upsetting Italian giants Milan in the UEFA Cup, only to be pegged back by a record-breaking Pippo Inzaghi goal in stoppage time at Fratton Park. Despite the draw Portsmouth are still in with a chance of progressing beyond the group stage of this season's UEFA Cup, but Milan are already through, having needed only a point to reach the knock-out stages following their two wins on the opening two matchdays.

The hosts were missing Jermaine Defoe, Loussane Diarra, Nico Kranjcar and Soul Campbell through injury for this match, as Tony Adams' team lined up missing some experienced personnel for this one. Former Inter man Kwankwo Kanu lined up alongside Peter Crouch in attack as Portsmouth fielded a 4-4-2 formation. Milan lined up with a 4-3-1-2 formation that saw Gianluca Zambrotta handed a start in defence, while Kaka played in behind strikers Inzaghi and Andriy Shevchenko.

There was a raucous atmosphere inside a packed Fratton Park and the home team started at frenetic pace, with Richard Hughes picking up an early booking after a clattering tackle. Portsmouth were clearly looking to make their mark but it was Milan who enjoyed the best chances, as Fillipo Inzaghi hit the post after just ten minutes. The veteran striker was looking to break the European goal-scoring record and he was proving a constant menace, as he clipped the top of the crossbar after charging through one-on-one before lobbing Portsmouth keeper David James on the volley.

Despite being on the ropes for practically the entire first half, Portsmouth regrouped in the second and took the lead through Younes Kaboul, who was left unmarked to head a Glen Johnsen cross home at the far post. The south coast side's night then got even better as Kanu broke the offside trap to blast home a skidding cross that cut out Milan keeper Dida. Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti responded by bringing on Ronaldinho, and the Brazilian pulled a goal back with a superb free-kick that flashed into the top corner of the goal. Despite that goal Portsmouth looked like hanging on, however Pippo Inzaghi broke Pompey hearts when he took advantage of some slack marking to stab home a typically predatory goal deep into stoppage time.

This was a gut-wrenching display for new Portsmouth coach Adams, who saw his team go so close to beating Milan only to concede in the dying seconds. Despite the draw Pompey still have a chance of progressing, although they will need to take something when they travel to German club VfL Wolfsburg next time out. Milan are not in action on Matchday 4, but they can rest easy going into their final group stage game knowing that they are now in a virtually unassailable position in the top three in the group.