Callum Johnson reveals secret behind improbable Portsmouth fightback against Plymouth

The Blues were trailing 2-0 against Ryan Lowe’s side with four minutes remaining on Saturday.

However, substitute Ronan Curtis and James Bolton netted as Kenny Jackett’s men fought back at the death to claim an improbable point.

Assistant manager Joe Gallen has already revealed the present dressing room possesses the strongest bond he has known in four seasons at Fratton Park.

Pompey face Swindon tomorrow night desperate for a home victory to strengthen their automatic promotion hopes.

And Johnson, who arrived in September, is heartened by the character of this Blues side.

He said: ‘I’ve seen an improvement in it even since I’ve signed. The team spirit and togetherness is right up there, to be fair.

‘I was at Accrington when we won the league and the team spirit is up there with that. It’s really, really good.

‘That showed in Saturday's result, especially with a comeback like that. That shows togetherness and spirit.

‘You don’t get results like that and come back from 2-0 down if you don’t stick together and instead argue, moan at each other and fall out.

‘It’s a team game and sometimes you have to stick together and grind out goals and performances like that right at the death. Which is what we did.

‘I thought we were going to go on and win it. I truly believed we could, you’ve got to.

‘In the end, we got a point and will look at it and assess it.’

Pompey are fifth heading into tomorrow night’s visit of Swindon (7pm).

The Robins are fourth from bottom following two wins in their last 13 matches, while owner Lee Power recently revealed they are financially struggling.

And the Blues approach the encounter feeling it was two points dropped in the 2-2 draw with Plymouth, regardless of the late fightback.

Johnson added: ‘You have to say it’s two dropped because, in my opinion, we should have won the game.

‘Decisions went against us and we didn’t finish our chances in the first half, yet had the better of the play.

‘It’s hard for me to say we’ve gained a point because we want to be looking up, not down and want to be winning those games.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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