Lee Brown lifts lid on lack of Portsmouth confidence and players taking the easy option at AFC Wimbledon

The left-back told he and his team-mates wanted ‘to get rid of the ball’ during the second half of the 1-0 defeat so they avoided being in the firing line of the 712 travelling member of the Fratton faithful.

Despite an encouraging display in the opening 45 minutes, the Blues’ attacking threat significantly dropped after the interval.

Kenny Jackett’s side were unable to find an incisive pass or create a clear goalscoring opportunity despite having the majority of possession.

And they were made to pay when Terell Thomas’ stoppage-time header condemned Pompey to a fourth League One loss of the season.

Brown revealed he could feel the tension from the crowd boiling over in the second period, which caused the players to get rid of the ball so they didn’t make a mistake.

But the vice-skipper accepts Pompey must get the supporters believing again.

He said: ‘In the second half, the crowd starts getting a bit edgy when the manager makes a substitution.

‘That relays into the players and then we’re not taking that extra touch or finding a pass.

‘Players just want to get rid of the ball because they know if you make a mistake then they (fans) are looking for blood.

‘You feel the tension, we’re only human beings and the opposition sense it because you can see them get another gear.