Without a victory in their last three games Norwich City were hoping to get back to winning ways when bottom-placed Portsmouth visited Colney on Saturday.

In the event the south coast outfit held the Canaries to a draw in a game that rarely burst into life.

As far as international call ups are concerned it was a case of one in, one out for Ricky Martin's side with Cameron McGeehan away in Luxembourg while Kyle McFadden returned from international duty with the Republic Of Ireland and started the game against Pompey on the bench.

The opening 20 minutes produced little in the way of action, the first real chance falling to City when Josh Murphy sent in a low cross that just eluded Reece Hall-Johnson at the far post.

Portsmouth went close when Ashley Harris created an opening for himself but he couldn't keep his shot on target.

Harris was looking to be the danger man for the visitors as he again went close and he was giving the Canaries centre back pairing of Harry Barker and trialist Callum Finch a tough time.

Sam Kelly brought a save from Matt Gledhill from a free-kick, while at the other end captain Michael Clunan was on hand to head the ball off the line as Harris threatened yet again.

As the second half got underway Kelly brought another save from Gledhill while Murphy failed to connect with a left wing cross with the goal begging.

Remi Matthews had to be alert to save at the feet of Ryan Williams as the visitors started to edge the game.

Williams should have done better with a volley at the far post while moments later Gledhill produced the save of the game turning a Clunan free kick onto the bar and out for a corner.

The visitors' captain George Colson should have punished City for some poor marking but he sent his far post header wide of the target.

Into the final few minutes and full back Dean Florence saw an effort blocked on the line as both sides went for the goal that would win the game and it was left to Matthews to ensure both teams took something from the game when he denied Williams for the second time in the game.

• Norwich City: Matthews, Florence, Wyatt, Clunan, Finch (McFadden, 77), Barker, Hall-Johnson, Dodds, Loza, Kelly, Murphy.

Subs not used: Peacock, Norman, Morris, Lokko.

• Portsmouth: Gledhill, Fitzharris, Butler, Awford, Warren, Grant, Williams, Colson, Harris, Higgins (Maloney, 70), Cook (Wheeler, 70).

Subs not used: Magri, Branford, Antelmi.

• Man of the Match: Remi Matthews.