Owen was a late call-off for the Magpies' eighth Premiership outing of the season although it is debatable whether the dead leg he suffered in training a few days ago cost Graeme Souness's side three points

In the light of their performance Souness will be happy to share the points although the fiery Scot will have plenty to shout about after his side failed to procure a handful of scoring a chances.

Alan Shearer had his first sniff of goal after seven minutes.

However, the former England striker saw his shot cross the area and wide of Jamie Ashdown's post.

Pompey keeper Ashdown was called into action for the first time seven minutes later when a free kick was awarded for a Matthew Taylor foul on Lee Clark.

Magpies midfielder Charles N'Zogbia crossed from the left but the opportunity was wasted as Ashdown collected the ball.

There was little to get excited about in subsequent play as both sides wasted free kick chances with attempts that went begging.

It looked as though Portsmouth were about to change all that just before the half hour mark.

After Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi had been caught offside in the 26th minute Pompey midfielder Zvonimir saw his ambitious strike from 30 yards sail left of Shay Given's post.

Barely a minute later Given was forced to parry a Gary O'Neil shot from the right side of the penalty area.

Newcastle were being held in midfield and their rare crosses into the Pompey area led to little.

Indeed it was Pompey who threatened again shortly before the interval, although Given easily collected Taylor's 25-yard strike from Taylor.

Souness replaced Celestine Babayaro with Robbie Elliott at half time, but he must have been wishing it was Owen he was sending on.

Newcastle certainly got the first sniff of goal in the second half although N'Zogbia's 18-yard effort went sailing over Ashdown's crossbar.

Pompey hit back in similar fashion, with Dario Silva's header from a Vukic cross going wide of Given's post minutes later.

Elliott had little to do since coming on to replace Babayaro but he didn't have to be asked twice to shoot when he found space in front of the Pompey goal.