Pompey kept up the improved form once more, this time earning their first point on the road, and doing it the hard way as well.
Pompey went with the same side for the 4th league match running, spirits have soared after 2 wins and 9 goals at home, and it was Pompey who made all the early running once more. Nugent was to hit a post as early as the 13th minute, his shot rebounded to Lawrence who could only scuff a difficult chance wide. Lawrence was running proceedings however, his clever football brain a level above the others.
Like so often so far this season though, Pompey were open to the sucker punch, this time it was Mathew Bates who delivered it, a corner was half cleared by the defence, it found Bates 10 yards out and he smashed home through the legs, the stats said Pompey had had 68% of the possession up to this point, the important stat was in the wrong colour however.
Things looked like taking a turn like at Palace a couple of weeks back, Ward was caught out by a deep cross and fouled as he attempted to clear, a clear penalty.
Barry Robson smashed straight down the middle to double the lead.
All pear shaped at half time after a promising opening, Pompey’s form on the road looked to be following a familiar pattern again.
‘Boro were on top now and Boyd almost added another, but this time it was Pompey’s turn to play King Kanute and turn the tide, Lawrence was the architect once more, hi pin point cross found Nugent who gleefully nodded home.
Time for pompey pressure once more, Nugent had another effort, this time he opted to curl from 12 yards but was woefully off target.
McDonald was foiled by Ashdown as ‘boro pressed for the win, then as time ticked by Pompey forced a corner, down went Mokoena, the ref flashed red to Robson and Pompey had a golden opportunity.
Days gone by and you would have doubted Pompey from 12 yards, but Lawrence slotted home in a carbon copy of his effort against Leicester and Pompey had parity.
With 4 minutes of extra time Pompey went for the kill, but Lawrence was foiled and a point it was, but what a point, back from the dead and a first bonus from a road trip, things may well be looking up!
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