Izale McLeod got Fratton Park buzzing when he put the home side ahead on 18 minutes.
New loan-signing Lee Barnard scored on his debut to equalise in a second-half that produced a number of chances for Paul Groves’ side.
Portsmouth had the first real chance of the match as Bournemouth failed to clear a corner and Jack Compton’s cross found Paul Connolly at the back post. However, the central defender couldn’t test Shwan Jalal and headed over.
Wes Thomas hit the post after six minutes when a counter-attack saw Marc Pugh’s ball split the home defence. Thomas had to stretch but struck the ball to Mikkel Andersen’s left hand side, only to be denied by the frame of the goal.
The home side took the lead when the Cherries failed to close down McLeod and he managed to get a shot away. His long-range effort found its way beneath and between the legs of an unlucky Jalal and rolled into the back of the net.
Jon Harley further tested the Bournemouth goalkeeper on the half an hour mark but Jalal pulled off a strong stop from the left-back’s powerful drive.
McLeod came close to doubling his tally moments later when he missed a golden opportunity from Luke Rodger’s cross. The former MK Dons and Charlton striker connected but fired over from six yards.
Charlie Daniels forced a save out of Andersen as he attempted to grab an equaliser before half-time. Miles Addison and Shaun MacDonald also had strong opportunities in a period of high pressure for Bournemouth towards the end of 45 minutes but were both unable to level the scores. Addison’s effort was blocked on the line and MacDonald shot over the crossbar from the rebound.
Portsmouth almost increased their lead minutes into the second-half when Rodgers lobbed the ball over the defence and set off McLeod one-on-one with Jalal. The Cherries’ goalkeeper raced off his line and managed to deny McLeod with a superb block.
As Bournemouth tried to claw their way back into the game, Thomas headed over from Pugh’s corner. It was him again who connected with Simon Francis’ angled cross but this time last season’s top-scorer saw the ball glance wide.
Bournemouth had another chance to equalise as substitute Lewis Grabban saw his shot fly over the crossbar as he followed up Andersen’s parry from Thomas’ drive.
Andersen produced a magnificent tip over the crossbar as the Cherries’ continued to pressure. Grabban latched on to a loose ball and fired a shot into the ground. As the ball bounced up, the Pompey stopper got a finger on the ball to prevent the teasing lob that looked likely.
Debutant Barnard eventually put the Cherries level on 77 minutes as Simon Francis’ pin-point cross found him free six yards out. The loanee had the simple task of rising and heading past a helpless Portsmouth goalkeeper.
Ashley Harris almost grabbed a last gasp winner for Portsmouth, but his effort rocketed off the inside of the post before being scrambled clear.
AFC Bournemouth: Jalal, Francis, Addison (c), Elphick, Daniels, O’Kane, MacDonald (Grabban, 63), Partington (Arter, 73), Pugh, Barnard, Thomas (Tubbs, 74).
Substitutes unused: Collins, Cook, Zubar , Wakefield.
Portsmouth: Andersen, Harley, Long, Connolly, Dumbuya, Djilali (Webster, 89), Williamson (Clifford, 63), Howard (c), Compton (Harris, 81), McLeod, Rogers.
Substitutes unused: Eastwood.
Goals: McLeod (18), Barnard (78)
Bookings: O’Kane,
Attendance: 17,703