Accrington Stanley 1 Pompey 1
Pompey picked up a very useful point at high flying Accrington to keep themselves two points clear at the top with the pack closing but it should probably have been all three.
Kenny made four changes with Dion Donohue injured and Tom Naylor suspended in came Gareth Evans and Ben Close. Christian Burgess replaced Jack Whatmough and Nathan Thompson came in at right-back for Anton Walkes.
It was very much a case of what might have been for Pompey as they bossed the opening half hour culminating with Ronan Curtis heading a Jamal Lowe post against the post.
Then on 33 minutes, Craig MacGillivray dropped a Stanley corner and in his efforts to reclaim the ball brought down Billy Kee. The referee pointed to the spot and the Pompey keeper redeemed himself by throwing himself to his right to save Kee’s penalty.
After the beak Curtis hit the post again before Oli Hawkins broke the deadlock flicking home Evans’ free kick.
The lead would only last two minutes though as McConville sent over a free-kick and Ihiekwe’s head did the rest.
For the final twenty-five minutes it was backs to the wall stuff for Pompey and the three minutes injury time saw Accrington go close but MacGillivray stood firm and Pompey got their point.
On the downside, Nathan Thompson picked up his fifth booking and will miss the trip to Bradford City next week.
Pompey (4-2-3-1): MacGillivray; N.Thompson, Burgess, Clarke, Brown; Close, B.Thompson; Lowe, Evans (c), Curtis; Hawkins (Pitman 81)
Goals: Hawkins 62
Booked: N.Thompson
Subs not used: McGee, Walkes, Whatmough, Haunstrup, Wheeler, Mason
Referee:Stephen Martin
Attendance: 3,558 (1,163 Pompey fans)
The Blues boss told the official site: “We’re always looking to win and we’re disappointed to come away with just a draw, which shows you how far we’ve come. For 20-30 minutes we played really well and probably needed to score during that period, especially with the strong wind.
“There’s mixed feelings because you really need to score when you’re on top if you want to be dominant. In terms of our overall play and territory we managed to capitalise on that but ultimately didn’t get a goal. It looked a penalty for me, but then it was a fantastic save from Craig to make up for his mistake. It was excellent.
“We were on top at the start of the second half, looked strong and obviously went ahead, only to give a goal away pretty soon afterwards. That was frustrating and then the game became very scrappy and the wind meant it was far easier for them to put the ball in our box.”
He also explained Jack’s absence as being because he had appeared “leggy” after playing twice in three days and did not want to risk injury.
FA Cup
Maidenhead Pompey’s FA Cup First Round opponents visit the Hawks on Tuesday evening – October 30 – kick off 7:45 for those who fancy a look. Yesterday the Magpies (Maidenhead) lost 6-0 at home to AFC Fylde after having Christian Smith sent off on 25 minutes.
Championship goals
Two of Pompey’s recent departures netted goals in the Championship yesterday.
Kal Naismith for Wigan at Sheffield United – Enda Stevens provided an assist for the home side. Michael Smith scored for Rotherham in their 1-1 draw at Preston.
And finally… tears in the rain
The FSF take us to Japan this week where Kawasaki Frontale managed to go 3-1 down at home to Vissel Kobe this week thanks in part to this comical own goal from the extremely unlucky Tasaki Nara. In the end, it contributed to a barnstormer as Frontale came back to win 5-3.
Just a reminder to those in the UK to put your clocks back an hour.
PUP
