Kenny Jackett: It didn't look as though it was going to be our night - now Portsmouth are back at Wembley

The Blues trailed 2-1 entering five minutes of time added on as Exeter honed in on a semi-final victory in the Leasing.com Trophy tonight.

However, Cameron McGeehan and John Marquis struck back in dramatic fashion to ensure the holders are booked to reunite to Wembley on April 5.

It was a stunning end to a pulsating final 11 minutes of normal time, involving Pompey twice coming from behind to level against the League Two visitors.

And Jackett himself admitted he was unable to see a way back as the match headed towards its memorable finale.

He said: ‘I thought we played well and deserved to win, fair play to Exeter, they put on a fantastic performance.

‘If you are looking to the second half, we were on top, we had many chances and couldn’t put them away or there were some great blocks and last-ditch tackles, with terrific save from the goalkeeper from Oli Hawkins as well.

‘Then you are looking towards the end and the goals on the break and you are wondering whether it is going to be your night – and it looked very much like it was going to be Exeter’s night.

‘We showed terrific perseverance, character and, ultimately, quality. On top of heart, running and effort you do need that quality and we scored some very good goals.

‘There were times when I didn’t think it was going to be our night and for a long time it was 0-0.

‘The second half we really did get on top and were looking for that breakthrough, wondering whether it was going to come, then twice going behind after being on top in the game.

‘It looked many times like it wasn’t going to be our night, but we kept going and really kept the crowd engaged right until the end – and got a fantastic winner.’