Crouch breaks Baggies´ hearts

England striker Peter Crouch's equaliser kept West Bromwich Albion bottom of the Premier League table as Portsmouth fought back to draw 1-1 at the Hawthorns here Sunday.

Crouch scored his ninth goal of the season just before the hour mark on a day when Portsmouth owner Alexandre Gaydamak announced the FA Cup holders were up for sale.

The draw denied West Brom a first win in nine league games.

They took the lead thanks to Jonathan Greening's 39th minute goal against a Portsmouth side struggling to bounce back from their midweek UEFA Cup defeat in Wolfsburg.

Former Manchester United midfielder Greening gave Tony Mowbray's men the lead when the Baggies captain was first to react after a Chris Brunt free-kick came back off the crossbar as he sidefooted in from six yards.

Crouch though revived Portsmouth in the 58th minute with a brilliant strike from 25 yards out.

The closing stages were an end-to-end affair with Portsmouth keeper David James saving from Ishmael Miller while, at the other end, Glen Johnson shot wide from just a few yards out.

Miller was then forced off injured after clashing with James as both men went for a loose ball.

Portsmouth, who remained in the top 10, thought they'd snatched a winner when Baggies keeper Scott Carson flapped at a cross from Johnson, the ball bouncing towards his goal.

A scrambling Carson scooped the ball away from danger and, despite Portsmouth's protests, the referee ruled the ball had not crossed the line.