Gutsy Portsmouth suffer sickening late heartache at Burnley

Josh Brownhill’s late, late winner left the Blues empty-handed through a 2-1 defeat after a gutsy showing against the fancied contenders.

Callum Lang’s first-half opener was cancelled out by sub Jeremy Sarmient with 27 minutes remaining at Turf Moor.

Then came the heartache four minutes into stoppage time, as Pompey’s 2,100 travelling fans were hit by the sickening blow.

It was a strong first half display from the Blues, who were much the better side as their counter-attacking silenced the home crowd.

Pompey sat increasingly deeper after the restart, however, without maintaining their threat going the other way.

That gave Burnley the chance to snare the win - which they ruthlessly did late on.

It was a fine first half from Pompey with Josh Murphy the first to threaten in the 12 minute as he angled a bouncing drive not too far over.

Marlon Pack then produced a fine run down the right, but Paddy Lane couldn’t adjust his body to reach the cross.

Christian Saydee saw his shot blocked in the 27th minute moments before Connor Ogilvie glanced a header off the post from Pack’s corner.

The home side finally threatened in the 33rd minute, but Regan Poole’s fine diving blocked denied Lyle Foster.

Pompey’s play resulted in a deserved lead three minutes before the break, as Josh Murphy and then Lane combined to allow Callum Lang to tap in from close range.

The second half started with the home side increasingly indignant with ref David Webb as their side created little from their possession.

Luca Koleosho blazed an angled drive over in the 60th minute as Pompey were a little slow to close the winger from a corner.

The home side were level three minutes later, as sub Sarmiento levelled it up two minutes after coming as he Pack gave him the space to curl a drive beyond Will Norris.

Burnley then produced their first period of concerted and effective pressure, as the Blues sat back without offering a threat going the other way.

Foster put the ball in the net with 10 minutes left but the Burnley striker had drifted half a yard offside.

Sammy Silvera cracked a 20 yarder which James Trafford held, after eight minutes of stoppage time was indicated by the fourth official.

Then came the winner as Matt Ritchie gave the ball away with a back heel and the ball was worked to Brownhill, who slotted home from the edge of the box.