Portsmouth boss highlights key incident which could've turned Shrewsbury clash in his side's favour

The defender, who’s often been linked with the Blues in the past, was given his marching orders late on after a lunge on striker John Marquis.

Pierre was given his second yellow card for that incident, but Jackett felt his first caution should’ve been a red in the first half.

The Blues boss felt the former Wycombe man denied Marquis a clear goalscoring opportunity, with a foul which should’ve warranted a dismissal.

He said: ‘It looked like it should’ve been a red from the side.

‘I was a little bit surprised (it was a yellow), but the referee has his reasons for giving it. We obviously have to accept those.

‘John did look sharp going in behind.

‘He looked bright going in behind and down the sides as well which was a positive, but things didn’t drop for him in the box.’

There’s no escaping the opening-day draw did little to lift the mood of the fans, with many still wanting managerial change.

The performance fell flat for long periods, before a late charge which failed to yield a goal.

Jackett took the positives from his side pushing until the death, while acknowledging their attacking shortcomings.

He added: ‘We built a rhythm in the second half, put the pressure on them and had some chances.

‘It looked like we were going to break through, but they hung in there, their keeper made good saves and we hit the bar.

‘We scrapped away and, for me, we need to keep playing and building like we did in the second half.

‘We have to keep trying to work to find that final pass and bit of quality we need.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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