RORY Allen's disappointing season continued at Fratton Park yesterday when he pulled out of his comeback game for the reserves just minutes before kick-off.

Allen was named as one of the substitutes for the clash with Norwich City, but took no part when he felt some discomfort to a long-term knee injury during the warm-up.

Reserve team coach Neil McNab said: "It was a real shame that Rory had to sit it out, but I had no option after he complained to me that his knee didn't feel right."

It is the latest blow to beset Allen who has endured a season of misery on the sidelines.

He became the most expensive player in Portsmouth's history when he signed for £1million from Tottenham in the summer of 1999.

He got off to a good start scoring at Wolves in the second game that season before injuring his right ankle, and then fractured the other ankle in his comeback game at Sheffield United.

Fit-again striker Lee Mills led the attack and came through the match without any reaction to his recent injury as Pompey drew 1-1.

With Allen still not ready and Lee Bradbury suspended, Mills could have done enough to earn a recall to first team action at West Brom on Saturday.

In fact it was Mills who brought the larger than usual crowd up off their seats just before the interval, thrashing home a shot from close range after excellent move between Joe McNab and the impressive triallist Garry Brady.

'Keeper Chris Tardif showed why he has been elevated to number two behind Aaron Flahavan with a couple of point-blank saves but had no chance as the Canaries levelled early in the second half. Striker Adrian Coote raced through a gaping hole in the defence to fire home.

The Norfolk visitors showed why they have netted over 50 Combination League goals this season.

But Pompey's defence in which youngsters Tom White and Lewis Buxton held firm to take a richly-deserved point.