Oxford boss gives verdict on why Portsmouth melee happened - and pays Blues big compliment

A skirmish broke out at the end of the Blues' 1-1 stalemate with the Kassam Stadium outfit on Tuesday evening.

Pompey's Ronan Curtis and Oxford defender John Mousinho were booked the in the aftermath. Meanwhile, photographs emerged of Matty Taylor grabbing Curtis by the genitals during the fracas.

Both clubs are likely to be charged by the FA.

Nevertheless, Robinson was delighted that his 19th-placed U's battle back to collect a point against a 'such a good' Pompey team.

Sean Raggett opened the scoring for Kenny Jackett’s side on 19 minute but that was cancelled out by Alex Gorrin’s penalty in the second period.

And Robinson felt the impact his substitutes made were key.

He said: ‘They’re two teams who really care and wear the shirt with immense pride.

‘I’m not condoning it but there was emotion about the performance, they gave everything for the shirt, with a desire to win and a willingness not to concede.

‘They are such a good team, they really are a very difficult to play against and always know you're in for a difficult game.

‘If you have five substitutions, they have to have an impact.

‘I thought their goal came against the run of play. I thought we were good without really hurting them. I don’t think we created enough or put enough pressure on their back four.

‘In the second half I thought we played a bit better – we imposed ourselves a bit more.

‘When you see the calibre of players that we didn’t start you know you’re bringing on players who have a real desire.

‘I’m really pleased with the subs who came on. You wouldn’t do that with only three subs, but I made the three knowing I had two spares. That doesn’t half make a difference to us.’