Portsmouth boss Jackett frustrated after late own goal

Posted Sunday, October 27, 2019 by PA

Kenny Jackett was frustrated after a bizarre injury-time own goal robbed Portsmouth their chance of victory as they drew 2-2 against Bristol Rovers.

Liam Sercombe’s left-wing corner deflected off the knee of defender Ross McCorbie onto the underside of the crossbar before the ball went in off goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray to gift Rovers an unlikely point.

The visitors had taken a ninth minute lead when Luke Leahy pushed John Marquis inside the box and Gareth Evans’ sweetly-struck penalty beat the dive of Anssi Jaakkola, who went on to keep Rovers in the game with some fine saves.

Portsmouth doubled their advantage in the 70th minute, Marquis crossing from the right for Ronan Curtis to head home before Alex Rodman gave Rovers hope with a left-footed drive from 10 yards 12 minutes from time.

A disappointed Jackett said: “It was like a double own goal at the end. Ross has got his attempted clearance wrong and then our keeper gets the final touch.

“Three points were there for us and the end of the game was really frustrating because we have conceded from two set-pieces.

“We want to play good football and score goals, both of which we did today. But another important quality is the ability to see games out and we haven’t done that.

“Bristol Rovers away is always a difficult game for Portsmouth and they are very effective attacking the end with their fans behind the goal.

“In the main, we dealt with that well, but maybe we have to look at the number of set-pieces we conceded.

“Their keeper has made two great saves in the first half so we could have been further ahead by the time they scored.”

Rovers boss Graham Coughlan said: “Barring a 10 minute spell in the first half when our keeper has made a couple of good saves, we limited Portsmouth to counter-attacks.

“I didn’t see what the penalty was given for and I don’t think anyone else did either. If soft ones like that are awarded it will ruin our game.

“We have had a tough week and it was so unjust when we were two goals down because we turned in a good performance.

“The lads could easily have folded and I am proud of them. I’m not sorry to see the end of October, but now we are a week closer to getting some of our injured players fit and can look forward with optimism.

“I don’t care how the ball went in for our equaliser. Against Bolton in the week we played as though we only had to turn up to win, but today I got the response to that performance I was looking for.”