BLACKBURN Rovers have been forced to settle for a point at Portsmouth this afternoon after failing to convert several good chances.

Anthony Vanden Borre saw red on the hour mark for the hosts after receiving his second yellow card of the game for a blatant handball, having been cautioned for a foul on Martin Olsson in the opening half.

Rovers' Swede almost made Portsmouth pay immediately as well after racing on to David Dunn's clever through ball but his low drilled shot was blocked by Jamie Ashdown's legs on 66.

Jason Roberts should have done better a few minutes later from El-Hadji Diouf's right wing cross, but his shot on the turn was easily saved by Ashdown.

In the last seconds Phil Jones' prodded effort towards goal was again blocked by Ashdown, while Olsson's volley was saved.

David Dunn and Chris Samba hit the post in the opening half 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.

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.