IT was not just the Bank Holiday roads that were crammed yesterday - just look at the log-jam at the top of the first division.

With no more than a postage stamp covering the Clarets in fourth place and Preston in ninth it could hardly be tighter. Six teams covered by three points could even become seven if Wimbledon win their game in hand.

So strong nerves, long finger nails and prayer mats will be needed at Turf Moor in the next few weeks.

Palms were already sweaty among the sizeable away following at Fratton Park yesterday as they saw their side get into a winning position, concede a late equaliser but come close to nicking it in the thrilling closing stages.

Those fans who did make the long trip to Pompey may also have seen Stan Ternent solve the conundrum of how to get the best out of Paul Gascoigne.

The home supporters among the full house may have been disappointed to see the 34-year-old England legend on the bench but that

was where his displays against Sheffield United and Wolves demanded he should start.

And after receiving a standing ovation from all sides of the ground on his introduction 22 minutes from time it took him a little time to settle down to his task in a five man midfield.

Within seven minutes Pompey had equalised with Svetoslav Todorov capitalising on a rush of blood from Nik Michopoulos in the Clarets goal and Gazza looked to be struggling.

But suddenly he came to life and produced a series of touches that could have created the winner. First there was a run across the pitch with a great pass to Glen Little.

Then came a lovely touch on the edge of the box to give Kevin Ball a chance and he almost created a chance for himself with a bit of magic.

Next he picked the ball up deep in his own half and hit a beautiful left footed pass through the middle that gave David Johnson a chance to run with young defender Lewis Buxton.

Finally he was involved in the last gasp incident that saw himself, Johnson and in the end Alan Moore have a sniff of goal.

It wasn't to be but if Gascoigne can reproduce those key interventions in the crucial matches against Gillingham, Grimsby and Coventry he may yet be the ace up Ternent's sleeve.

"I pick the side I think is best and I felt it was better to start the way we did," said Ternent. "In the second half we needed better ball retention and in the last ten minutes we got that."

If the jury is still out on the signing of Gazza there is no doubt that the verdict on the addition of David Johnson is GUILTY.

That is to say he is guilty of scoring four goals in five games and guilty of seriously boosting Burnley's chances of staying in the top six by the end of the season.

Having scored three goals with his left foot he showed his right can be just as lethal as he smashed home the opening goal in the 20th minute.

After Arthur Gnohere had been wrestled to the ground by Todorov, Lee Briscoe showed some quick thinking to take a free kick down the inside left channel. Johnson was one on one with Scott Wilson and may have surprised the on loan Rangers defender by jinking on to his supposedly weaker side before hammering the ball past the veteran Dave Beasant.

Within a minute Pompey might have been level when it was their World Cup star Robert Prosinecki who took centre stage. If the fans were made to wait for Gazza, Prozzer was on from the start and he sparkled in the first half, never more so than seconds after they went behind.

A free kick on the edge of the box was just his territory and Michopoulos was left to stand and admire as it hit his right hand post and then he was grateful that Briscoe was on hand to block Todorov's follow-up.

The Bulgarian striker, Prosinecki and Kevin Harper had made a positive start as an attacking trio as they showed good mobility and were hard for the Clarets defence to track.

But gradually they got a grip, Harper was less of a threat and Burnley themselves used the pace of Ian Moore and Johnson to cause their own problems.

Ternent was rewarded for his decision to go with the two smaller, nimbler strikers and leave leading scorer Gareth Taylor on the bench as they again linked well as they had against Preston and Bradford. On the stroke of half time Moore found his partner and there looked to be a good shout for at least a foul on the edge of the box as he again bore down on goal.

In the 65th minute Prosinecki was denied first by a superb block by Ball, then by a cluster of players and finally Quashie was also foiled as the Burnley goal led a charmed life.

New Pompey boss Harry Redknapp was certainly going for broke as attacking players Stefani Miglioranzi, Leo Biagini and Courtney Pitt replaced defensive colleagues.

He got his reward as Pitt played in the ball for Todorov's equaliser, but Ternent was right to blame Michopoulos for letting him round him before converting his first goal for the side from a tight angle.

Both sides had the belief they could win all three points but no one went closer than Burnley in the 80th minute, Johnson heading wide after being picked out by Briscoe's excellent cross.

How much better the table would look today if that goal had gone in but it was not to be. With three games left Burnley remain fourth and there is no substitute for points in the bag.

It now remains to be seen whether Gascoigne may prove to be the inspirational substitute who can help get the final points to get Burnley into the end of season drama.

PORTSMOUTH...1

Scorer: Todorov 75

BURNLEY...1

Scorer: Johnson 20

Attendance...18,020