Pompey v Plymouth: Blues match ratings

RYAN ALLSOP - 5

Pressure was firmly on the keeper who arrived on an emergency seven-day loan from Bournemouth because of Pompey’s injury crisis. And he failed his first test, getting nowhere near a cross into the box which allowed Jamille Matt to level and get Plymouth back into the match. Badly let down for the second goal but steady enough after that.

BEN DAVIES - 7

Showed why he was many people’s choice for player of the season. Solid in defence, dangerous going forward, his endless crosses into the Plymouth box deserved more.

CHRISTIAN BURGESS - 7

Pompey needed every bit of his reliability to calm things down after the errors for Plymouth’s goals. Dealt with the visitors’ dangerous attack well and enjoyed a few marauding runs in the second half.

ADAM BARTON - 5

Paul Cook may well have rued opting to play him at centre-back for such a big game. Beaten to the ball by Matt for Plymouth’s equaliser and was a virtual spectator for the visitors’ second as he allowed the same player to flick the ball up and over his head into the net. To his credit, recovered well and looked composed alongside Burgess after the break.

ENDA STEVENS - 6

Found plenty of space down the left-hand side without sacrificing his defensive duties. The kind of all-round solid full-back displays which have typified his season.

MICHAEL DOYLE (c) - 7

Skipper was as combative as ever, the midfielder’s tackle playing in Marc McNulty to fire Pompey into a third-minute lead.

DANNY HOLLANDS - 6

Did exactly what he is put into the team for by adding protection to the backline and breaking up Plymouth attacks. Solid, unspectacular - just what we wanted.

GARETH EVANS - 6

Strangely subdued and too many misplaced passes in the first half but got into the action as the game wore on.

GARY ROBERTS - 7

Once again at the heart of Pompey’s attacking. Kept the Plymouth defence busy all night and was the coolest man in Fratton Park when he slotted home the equalising penalty. In this form, he’ll be the Blues’ key man on Sunday.

KYLE BENNETT - 6

Lively with his usual glimpses of quality. Unlucky not to make it 2-2 in the first half when his snapshot smacked the post. Made a few wrong choices with his passing but his running freed up space for Roberts and McNulty.

MARC McNULTY - 8

Got Fratton Park rocking early on with his opener, then won the penalty which got Pompey back into the match. Constant menance, although was a touch selfish when he went for goal just before the hour mark with Bennett in the clear.

Subs

KAL NAISMITH (Bennett 62) - Made little impact - 5

ADAM McGURK (McNulty 81)