Crouch strike denies Baggies

The England striker smashed home his ninth goal of the campaign to earn a 1-1 draw for Portsmouth on the day owner Alexandre Gaydamak confirmed the south coast club was up for sale.

Jonathan Greening had given the Baggies a deserved half-time lead as Pompey looked to be suffering a hangover from their mid-week UEFA Cup defeat in Wolfsburg which confirmed their exit from the competition.

But, as against Wigan last weekend, Albion failed to make their superiority count and an improved showing after the break from the visitors earned a deserved share of the spoils.

Albion are a point adrift of Blackburn at the foot of the table, and to make matters worse striker Ishmael Miller was carried off late in the second half with a serious looking leg injury after an accidental clash with Portsmouth keeper David James.

Most of the early pressing was being done by the home side with Greening prominent against a Pompey side who did not look at their best.

Sol Campbell conceded a free-kick in a dangerous position 20 yards out after fouling Miller - and it led to the Baggies taking the lead after 39 minutes.

Chris Brunt crashed a powerful shot against the bar with James well beaten but Greening reacted first to the rebound and tucked away his first goal of the season.

There was a bit more urgency about Portsmouth's play in the second half and after 58 minutes they drew level through Crouch's ninth goal of the campaign - and seventh in the top flight.

Crouch's fierce 20-yard drive took a slight deflection before flying past Scott Carson for the equaliser.