THE lights nearly went out on Leeds United at Portsmouth – but the Whites battled back to gain a 2-2 draw in the npower Championship at Fratton Park.

The floodlights failed twice in the second half after Leeds had twice come from a goal down to level.

Joel Ward and John Utaka twice gave Pompey the advantage but Luciano Becchio and Davide Somma ensured the visitors took a point back to Elland Road.

United manager Simon Grayson was delighted with his side’s second half performance and felt they could have gone on and won had the floodlights not failed.

Grayson said: “We certainly stepped up with our second half performance.

There were a lot of good opportunities, a good tempo to the game and we gave the performance we know we are capable of producing.

“Portsmouth had the best of the first half and we had the best of the second half. Overall, it was probably an even and fair result.

“We knew at half-time that we might be fortunate to still be in the game at 1-0. We knew we had to pass the ball a lot better and get our passing game and creativity going.

“The early goal gave us a real boost. We really upped the ante and the lights didn’t help us because we were in the ascendancy.”

On his plans to recruit players this week, Grayson added: “I have a free week now to try to get one or two players in. Andy Hughes left to go to Scunthorpe and we’ll probably need to fill his shoes.

“There are a couple of areas where I would like to bring players to the club and I’ll have an opportunity with a clear week.”

Portsmouth: Ashdown, De Laet (Rocha 54), Halford, Sonko, Dickinson, Lawrence, Mullins, Ward, Nugent, Kanu, Utaka.

Subs (not used): Flahavan, Hreidarsson, Ciftci, Kilbey. Leeds: Schmeichel, Connolly, Bruce, Bromby, McCartney, Snodgrass, Johnson, Howson, Gradel, Watt (Somma 62), Becchio.

Subs (not used): Higgs, Collins, Paynter, Sam, Parker, McCormack.

Referee: Anthony Taylor (Cheshire).

Attendance: 20,040.