'Gutted' Cameron McGeehan 'sorry' for missed Portsmouth penalty in Oxford play-off defeat

And the on-loan Barnsley midfielder has encouraged Blues fans not to give up on their aspirations as his time at the Blues comes to an end.

The 25-year-old cut a dejected figure as his spot-kick against Oxford United proved the determining factor in Pompey’s failed bid to return to the Championship via the play-offs.

After the two-legged affair ended in a 2-2 aggregate scoreline following 300 minutes of football, penalties were needed to separate the two teams.

They, too, proved evenly-matched, with both sides netting their first three attempts each.

However, McGeehan’s effort failed to match those who stepped up before him, with U’s keeper Simon Eastwood diving to his right to successfully stop his shot from 12 yards.

That allowed Oxford to eventually run out 5-4 winners on penalties and start preparations for a play-off final against Wycombe at Wembley on Monday, July 13.

It also left the unfortunate loanee to feel the agony of Pompey’s promotion hopes ended by a simple strike of the ball.

In a statement on Twitter, McGeehan said he was ‘sorry’ for the miss.

But he insisted the Blues’ time will come again.

His post read: ‘Gutted. Sorry for missing-sometimes it doesn’t go the way you planned and that’s life.

‘It was a privilege to play for such an amazing club, great teammates and staff.

‘Thanks for having me. You’ll come again. I’ll come again. Play up @Pompey.’

McGeehan featured 17 times for Pompey and scored twice following his loan arrival in January.

Manager Kenny Jackett has in the past admitted he’d be keen to make the Northern Ireland under-21 international’s Fratton Park stay permanent.

However, Pompey will have to rethink their summer transfer strategy following their failure to win promotion and the financial impact of the coronavirus.