"Portsmouth are a good team with big, strong defenders, hard-working midfielders and dangerous strikers. So this is a good result," Hodgson said after the 1-1 draw at Fratton Park.
"We have a lot of spirit and it is important that we keep that spirit because this team will get stronger.
"I can never accuse my team of lacking effort.
We now need to pick up as many points as possible so that we can move up the table."