Joey Barton’s admission about Portsmouth win as Blues leapfrog Fleetwood after Sunderland draw

But the Fleetwood boss’ efforts at repeating the trick came up short of a repeat performance as his men were denied victory by a 97th-minute leveller in their 1-1 draw at Sunderland.

The Black Cats got a late, late reward from Max Power after six minutes of stoppage time were added on by the referee at the Stadium of Light.

Pompey were left frustrated by Fleetwood’s delaying tactics at Highbury Stadium, as they successfully broke up player after taking a first-lead in gale-force conditions on Saturday.

Barton made no apologies for that approach, however, when he spoke after last night’s game.

He told the Sunderland Echo: ‘What are we meant to do, speed up because we’re winning?

‘Would they have sped up if they were winning? No. They’re on a good run themselves, they’re a good team, no doubt about, and we knew we were going to have to turn over the momentum.

‘That’s what we did to Portsmouth, who had won 11 in 12 before we played them, we beat them.’

The 1-1 draw between the two in-form sides was a result which suited Pompey as the same scoreline was repeated as top pair Rotherham and Coventry clashed.

‘I thought we were there,’ Barton added.

‘Six minutes stoppage time usually means six minutes stoppage time, but not today. We’re disappointed, but we dust ourselves down and go again.’