Brown: Hellish journey to Doncaster affected Portsmouth

The Blues' four-game league winning streak ended with a goalless Keepmoat Stadium draw on Saturday.

Yet Kenny Jackett's team were fortunate to avoid conceding during the opening 45 minutes as Rovers dominated the limp visitors.

Pompey were much improved after the break and could have won the game as roles reversed.

And their left-back blames the traffic jam-affected trip to South Yorkshire for being behind their slow start.

Brown said: '˜In the first half the boys couldn't find their legs really '“ we had a long trip up there on the Friday, six-and-half, seven hours on the coach.

'˜We did everything we could, trained early, left early, but you can't dictate the traffic and it's one of those things '“ you get on with it.

'˜I don't want to make excuses, but it's going to be a factor after the week we've had with two away games.

'˜The gaffer touched upon it at half-time. When you have three games in a week and that last match is away and travelling seven hours on a coach it's going to take its toll, everybody's human.

'˜It showed in the first half, but we've got that spirit in the squad now and found something within in the second half and could have gone on to win it.

'˜It was a tough game at Bristol Rovers in the week, which it will be for any team, and then to go to Doncaster and get a draw and clean sheet away from home shows good signs.'