By David Ornstein
**Aruna Dindane equalised in the 96th minute to earn cash-strapped Portsmouth a deserved draw against Sunderland.**Pompey, who face a winding-up order on Wednesday, went behind Ricardo Rocha saw red for tripping Darren Bent and the striker scored from the spot.
Sunderland saw Lee Cattermole and David Meyler sent off, while Matt Kilgallon volleyed against a post.
But the hosts were dominating and Dindane nodded home a Jamie O’Hara cross at the death to earn a point.
A draw was the very least Portsmouth deserved for an outstanding display on a night when their entire existence was in the balance.
The debt-ridden south coast outfit have a date at the High Court on Wednesday, when they face a winding-up petition relating to an unpaid VAT bill of £7.5m.
They are in still talks with Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs over a deal which they hope will lead to Wednesday’s action being dropped.
But if their appeal against the petition fails, they could be placed liquidation.
In the meantime, Pompey may go into administration and incur a 10-point deduction, but that would at least allow the books to be audited and keep alive their hope that a new owner can be found.
And their spirits will be lifted by a performance of great character and persistence by Avram Grant’s team.
More to follow.