More frustration as lacklustre Portsmouth drop promotion points against Gillingham
A costly gaffe from Lee Brown gifted Vadaine Oliver a leveller after Sean Raggett had headed his side in front in the first half at Fratton Park.
Only a late winner from Plymouth at Lincoln stopped Kenny Jackett’s falling further off the automatic spots, but it was still an immensely frustrating afternoon.
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Hide AdThe game followed a familiar pattern of Pompey starting brightly but running out of ideas as the game wore on, and in what was a pretty ugly affair they deserved no more than what they got.
In fact, it was Steve Evans side who finished the stronger on another forgettable day at Fratton.
Pompey flew out of the blocks with Harness hitting the post after two minutes after a fine work from Harvey White and Ronan Curtis.
Harness then flicked a volley over the bar from a fine Curtis ball into the box.
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Hide AdWhite then saw his shot in the box well saved by Jack Bonham before the breakthrough arrived in the 32nd minute through Raggett.
It was a powerful header from the defender which owed everything to Harness’ quality as he beat three Gills players before supplying a pinpoint cross.
The visitors levelled five minutes before the break and it was a Lee Brown horror show as he tried to chest Raggett’s header back to Craig MacGillivray, but Oliver nipped in and poked a shot home.
Curtis nearly replied seconds later but again Bonham was equal to his drive into the box.
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Hide AdWhite had an early penalty appeal not given after the restart, as he went down with Jack Tucker in close attendance but ref Tim Robinson played on.
Bonham’s next excellent save arrived in the 61st minute as he produced a reflex stop to keep out Tom Naylor’s header from a corner.
Gillingham could and maybe should have had the lead with 12 minutes left when Vadaine Oliver headed Jordan Graham’s cross over from in the six-yard box.
And it was the visitors who finished stronger with MacGillivray preserving a point by denying Akinde at the death.
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