Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez refused to blame goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek for the error which led to the loss of two valuable points last night.
Benitez's side appeared to have secured victory thanks to a thunderbolt 25-yard effort from captain Steven Gerrard in the 70th minute.
But Portsmouth grabbed a dramatic equaliser in stoppage time when Dudek palmed a cross-cum-shot from Matthew Taylor into the path of Lomana LuaLua.
He headed home to send the small travelling band of supporters wild with delight.
It was Dudek's first league appearance since September as Chris Kirkland succumbed to injury.
Benitez, however, was more concerned about his team's missed chances rather than Dudek's apparent blunder.
"I think in the last minute they tried to cross, and it is unlucky play," he said. "The goalkeeper was waiting for a cross. It is very difficult for the goalkeeper. We have had many opportunities - but you need to score. Now we lose two points, but we have one more point in the table."
Liverpool, desperate to bounce back after the derby defeat by Everton, carved out a number of chances with Dietmar Hamann and Harry Kewell both wasteful.
Yet Portsmouth's equaliser was completely unexpected considering they had hardly been out of their half in the second period.