Accrington boss claims League One table lies and Stanley looked more like promotion candidates than Portsmouth

The Blues’ hopes of finishing in the play-offs remain alive after the 3-3 draw at the Wham Stadium on Tuesday night.

It proved a rip-roaring affair, with Danny Cowley's side fighting from two goals down at half-time to thinking they’d grabbed all three points when John Marquis netted in stoppage-time.

However, there'd be more late drama as Marquis scored an unfortunate own goal to leave Pompey crestfallen.

The draw not only meant the Blues missed out on a chance to stretch further clear of rivals Oxford and Charlton, but also ended Stanley's slim chances of a top-six finish.

Coleman reckons Accy have performed much better than their current berth of 11th this term, although he's hoping the Blues can go on to achieve promotion.

‘It was a combination of really poor defending from ourselves for a five-minute spell,’ Coleman told the club’s website.

‘We've gifted them a shot of adrenalin. They weren't at the races and we battered them.

‘I like Danny and Nicky, I think they're really refreshing people in football and wish them a healthy career.

‘I've got no qualms about Portsmouth, I wish them well and hope they go and make the play-offs. But for ours (play-off hopes) to end like that, we've beaten them in every department but gifted them a couple of goals.

‘That's what's cost us then the chances we've missed are incredible. We hit the woodwork three times, how Notts (Michael Nottingham) hasn't put the last one in, I can't comprehend it, he's got an open goal.

‘That probably sums up our season. We're miles better than our league position. I know everyone says the league table doesn't lie, it's lied this season. We're miles better than our season shows.

‘Best will in the world, who would you think was more of the promotion candidates – us or Portsmouth?

‘That's no disrespect to Portsmouth but we were comfortably the better team in every department.

‘Football's about scoring more goals than the opposition but hopefully we can keep the bulk of the squad together and have a go next season.’

Pompey will once again face Accrington on the final day of the season at Fratton Park on Sunday, May 9.