Craig MacGillivray gets Kenny Jackett backing ahead of Portsmouth landmark

The keeper was at fault for Plymouth’s 78th-minute leveller in Monday night’s 2-2 draw at Plymouth.

MacGillivray misjudged George Cooper’s free-kick from the left, with the ball cannoning off Dom Telford and fortuitously falling to Jerome Opoku to net from close range.

It was agony for the Blues, whose vastly-improved second-half display appeared to have put them on course for a seventh success away win.

Nonetheless, MacGillivray has proven an excellent recruit since his arrival in the summer of 2018.

And he can expect to retain his first-team spot against Crewe on Saturday – representing a century of Blues outings.

Jackett said: ‘I’m frustrated that we couldn’t see it through, it was a frustrating second goal.

‘It does seem to have been in the air for a long time. Craig did say he called for it and I will have a look again.

‘It seemed to go into the net in slow motion and it was frustrating.

‘He has played very well, he’s a good goalkeeper. Both he and Alex Bass are good keepers, but Craig has done very well this year.

‘He has proven a good signing for us and this won’t change anything, not at all, 100 per cent.

‘It was just an unusual one because it seemed to be in the air for a long time.’

MacGillivray regained his first-team spot for the second game of the season, following Alex Bass’ poor display against Stevenage in the Carabao Cup.

Previously, the Scot was an automatic choice for Jackett since his June 2018 arrival on a free transfer from Shrewsbury.

Then, surprisingly, the 27-year-old was dropped on News Year’s Day for Bass at Gillingham.

The youngster retained his place for the League One play-off semi-final against Oxford United.

Now MacGillivray is firmly established as first choice once again and continues to demonstrate what a reliable presence he is.

Although criticised for his role in Plymouth’s equaliser, it should detract from his overall Blues displays, which should reach three figures against Crewe.

Still, Jackett feels seventh-placed Pompey could have claimed another victory on the road against a Plymouth team boasting the best home record in the league.

He added: ‘We had good situations and good breaks, particularly down the left-hand side.

‘With the right ball and the right situation, we could have created a bit more in the second half.

‘The holes were there and we had the pace on the pitch to hurt people, but I did think Plymouth deserved their lead up to half time.

‘We came back well in the second half.’