DAVID Dunn and Chris Samba hit the post for Blackburn Rovers as they went in goalless at half time at Fratton Park.

In awful conditions, with pouring rain and a shocking pitch, Dunn burst onto Martin Olsson's lay-off before hitting a low shot against the post on the half hour mark.

In the dying seconds of the half, Samba then headed Morten Gamst Pedersen's chipped free kick against the same post with goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown beaten.

Rovers enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges without being able to get their game going on another poor playing surface.

Portsmouth were looking unsure with any cross thrown into their penalty area though, with Chris Samba going close on a couple of occasions with headers from Morten Gamst Pedersen corners.

Phil Jones was brilliantly denied his first Premier League goal by home goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown, after his header was tipped wide, while Jason Roberts almost forced an effort in from close range.

Gael Givet's brilliant goal line clearance kept the scores level though on 27 minutes, just when Jamie O'Hara looked certain to head the hosts into the lead.

John Utaka cut in from the left and, when his shot was parried out by Paul Robinson, O'Hara headed the rebound goalwards only for Givet to brilliantly head off the line.