Joe Gallen: Portsmouth's Sean Raggett is one of League One's best defenders - and will bounce back from Bristol Rovers display

Raggett endured a wretched evening as Bristol Rovers claimed a 3-1 success over the Blues.

The central defender conceded a second-half penalty after being caught in possession by Luke Leahy.

He was also involved in two poor moments of defending which resulted in conceding twice before half-time, overhauling the Blues’ one-goal lead.

Undoubtedly it was a match to forget for the ex-Norwich man, who has been an otherwise impressive presence this season.

And Gallen, acting as manager in the absence of Kenny Jackett, leapt to Raggett’s defence following the team’s embarrassing defeat.

He told The News: ‘Conceding three goals gave us a lot to do tonight and it's unlike us to concede that many goals. That is why we’ve ended up not getting any points.

‘Their two forwards played very well in the first half, they played in a direct way, and it caused us a lot of problems.

‘The third goal was a mistake and took the game away from us. But it’s difficult to criticise any players because the defenders this season have been very, very, very good and kept a lot of clean sheets and won a lot of games by keeping the scoreline down.

‘Sean Raggett is having an outstanding season, he really is, I don’t think there are too many better centre-backs at this level than Sean Raggett.

‘He’s having an outstanding season and will continue to have one, he’s got such good character.

‘He will know he made an error tonight – but he’ll be back.

‘He’s an immensely strong character. Okay, it’s one little mistake, it cost us a goal, but Sean Raggett has been absolutely brilliant for us this season.’

At half-time, the Blues opted to substitute both Charlie Daniels and James Bolton, introducing Rasmus Nicolaisen and Lee Brown.

Nicolaisen had been selected on the bench ahead of Jack Whatmough, with both players returning to be available for the Memorial Stadium trip.

Gallen added: ‘James (Bolton) has played very well for us, but their two centre-forwards played well themselves tonight for them.

‘We felt that Rasmus could come in and win that first header a lot more – and that’s how it panned out.’

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