More late joy than woe for Pompey '“ but points loss crucial

However, their late antics have cost them far more points than they have earned.

Exeter’s Ollie Watkins broke Pompey hearts with a 90th-minute leveller on Tuesday night.

Paul Cook’s men had been grinding their way to a 1-0 St James Park victory when the youngster popped up with a maiden senior goal to earn the hosts a draw.

It represented an alarming fourth time in seven games the Blues have shipped a goal in the 90th minute.

Overall this season, they have now dropped eight points from winning positions during the final minute plus stoppage time.

On the other hand, 13 times Pompey have netted late on, earning them six points.

There was Jayden Stockley’s stoppage-time headed equaliser against Morecambe in August, plus Matt Tubbs’ last-gasp winner at Luton the same month.

Chaplin climbed off the bench to net an 85th-minute winner at Northampton in December, the last time the Blues won on their travels.

While Gary Roberts’ leveller at Yeovil in the 84th minute last month earned Cook’s men a point.

In addition, Pompey progressed in the FA Cup at the expense of Ipswich courtesy of Chaplin netting in the 86th minute.

Other late goals in favour of the Blues have not directly influenced the outcome of three points.

These include Roberts at Plymouth (86 minutes) and home to both Exeter (90min) and Crawley (83min).

Chaplin registered at Fratton Park against Barnet (90min) and York (84min).

Matt Tubbs scored in the 87th minute at Cambridge United, while in December’s 4-0 win over Hartlepool Ben Tollitt (80min) and Marc McNulty (90min) netted.

In comparison, there have been 10 goals conceded in the final 10 minutes of fixtures this season.

However, they have been more critical in affecting Pompey’s league position.

In cup competitions, Reading’s Matt McCleary eliminated the Blues from the Capital One Cup with an 84th-minute winner, while Bournemouth’s Mark Pugh settled the FA Cup encounter in the 83rd minute.

Earlier in the FA Cup, Ryan Fraser had levelled in the 88th minute to force a replay – which Ipswich would lose.

The remaining seven goals have all be in league action – with all but one arriving in the 90th minute of action.

Gregg Wylde helped himself to an 89th-minute consolation for Plymouth in August.

Elsewhere, Lee Brown (Bristol Rovers) and Luke Berry (Cambridge United) reduced the deficit in the 90th minute.

Crucially, in stoppage time, Brett Williams levelled for Stevenage in October, while Danny Grainger secured a 2-2 draw for Carlisle.

Next came goalkeeper Barry Roche’s history-making goal for Morecambe.

Then on Tuesday night it was an eighth point dropped from a winning position.