How about that then? About half three I was exchanging texts with Rug about how at least Pompey had not left us clinging on to hope, this was of course after we had gone 2 down in 5 minutes and narrowly missed conceeding a third, then of course we pull it back, let it slip, then sneak it at the end, typical Pompey? You betcha.
Pompey went with the same team that under performed on tuesday evening, this seemed a disastrous decision straight away, first off Beye sent a looping header over Ashdown, this while the pre-match burgers were still being wiped from chins, then the dose was repeated as Robert tapped home after Ashdown had parried away Chris Brown’s initial effort.
5 minutes in and Pompey has one foot in the cold waters of league 1, hardly a shock, but still a bitter quicker than we expected.
Varney had a chance for a quick retort, he though blasted over the bar to continue his drought.
Coppinger who had provided the crosses for both Doncaster goals then smacked the bar, Pompey were really rocking and looked to be leaving the second tier with a whimper, this was to change after the half hour, Etuhu limped off to be replaced by the much maligned Kitson, he was to have a pivotal role in what would prove to be his best Pompey game for months.
Halford had a header cleared by Coppinger once more, then Ashdown made a couple of quick saves to keep us in it, Allen exploded into life and went on a mazy run that ended with a shot that was easily saved, end to end stuff with both teams in the last chance saloon.
Half time came and another major decision was made, Varney who was ineffective once more was pulled, on came Ashley Harris, a player who was young and full of desire, just the sort Appleton has decided is our future.
Pompey came out with the proverbial rocket up the arse, Allan smacked the bar from distance and Harris fired in a shot from an acute angle that was smothered away.
Just before the hour, Beye hauled down Kitson in the box, he saw red and Pompey had a pen, the Doncaster fans were not happy and felt Kitson had made the most of it, Halford didn’t care and slotted home.
5 minutes later and the dose was repeated, this time the ref spotted a handball and Halford opted for the same spot, this time the ‘keeper guessed correctly but couldn’t keep his effort out.
Pompey had 25 minuted to grab a winner against 10 men, Doncaster though were having none of it, Coppinger who was a stand out man cut inside, his shot went through Pearce’s legs and wrong footed Ashdown to again give Donny the lead, Pompey were back in the doomed zone again.
Pompey through caution to the wind and went all out, Futacs came on for Rekik and Pompey pushed hard.
Harris hit the target once more only to be thwarted, Allan blazed over the bar and Norris did likewise.
Time ticked away and Doncaster must have felt they had preserved their status for another few days, Kitson though grabbed an equaliser in the 89th minute, he nodded home almost on the line as Pearce squared with his head, a goal that ther home side again found contentious.
The drama was not over though, pompey won the ball from the restart and Futacs found himself with the job of grabbing the winner, Pompey recorded their 3rd win on the road and lived another day.
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