Accrington 1-1 Portsmouth: they said what?

Oli Hawkins' third goal in as many games handed the Blues a 62nd-minute lead, before Michael Ihiekwe equalised two minutes later.

The hosts missed a first-half penalty, with Pompey keeper Craig MacGillivray making up for his initial mistake by palming away Billy Kee's effort.

And although, Kenny Jackett's side dropped points, they remain top of the League One table with a two-point advantage over Peterborough.

Here's what those closest to the action had to say'¦

Kenny Jackett

'˜I have mixed feelings.

'˜We have come a long way for a 1-1 draw, but the fact we scored the first goal and conceded so quickly afterwards is slightly disappointing.

I thought for the opening 20-30 minutes we looked strong.

We did need to score in that period, we didn't put our chances away, while Ronan (Curtis) had a good header and hit the far post.

Then there are two major incidents, the penalty where Craig has atoned for his mistake with a fantastic save '“ and the free-kick which has got them the equaliser.

I thought at the start of the second half for 15 minutes we looked strong, got the goal in the period and were obviously looking to go from strength to strength to get that win.

But then we conceded straight away, and that is disappointing.

John Coleman

For 25 minutes we got battered, they were all over us, they were first to every ball and made four or five good chances and hit the post.

Our keeper's made a good save, but then we came into the game after about half an hour, missed a penalty but had pinned them back.

In the second half I thought we were excellent, took the game to them.

They scored a goal and hit the bar and that's probably their sum effort of attack.

In the second half it was one-way traffic.

We were just guilty perhaps of the final pass not being right, but you can't fault the lads for effort and I think the least we deserved was a point.

Jamal Lowe

It is a good point.

If you'd have said on Friday we'll come to Accrington and get a point we'd have taken it.

But in the first half we could have definitely had more. 

They sharpened up a little bit in the second half and we were going uphill, which is a major factor.

You can't play dominant football for 90 minutes, every team has their spell.

But then again the second half was very scrappy and nobody had a spell.

We had our chances in the first half to put it out of sight.

News chief sports writer Neil Allen

Pompey will reflect on a hard-earned point at high-flying Accrington, yet it could have been more - or less.

A blistering start should have seen the visitors establish a healthy lead, although at the other end Craig MacGillivray saved Billy Kee's penalty.

When they finally did score through Oli Hawkins, the hosts levelled within two minutes.

Kenny Jackett had mixed feelings but, looking back, it represents a good point on their travels.

Pompey report Will Rooney

A point at Accrington may be looked upon as a decent one if Pompey clinch promotion this season.

But the Blues could well have returned to the south coast with a victory.

Kenny Jackett's men were at their rampant best in the opening 30 minutes.

Like so many times this season, however, they've failed to muster a goal when they've been on top.

Pompey must start being more ruthless in the final third after back-to-back draws.