Pompey head coach Danny Cowley gives his verdict on two key Portsmouth incidents that contributed to defeat at MK Dons

Charlie Daniels’ needless first-half foul on Ethan Laird handed Scott Fraser the opportunity to score the only goal of the match from the penalty spot four minutes before the break.

Meanwhile, with the Blues chasing the game, Jack Whatmough’s straight red card for a two-footed challenge on Dons substitute Charlie Daniels meant the visitors had to play the remainder of the game with 10 men.

Both incidents, coupled with some wasteful finishing from Pompey, contributed to another disappointing afternoon for Cowley & Co.

The Blues have now lost twice in their past two games, with their play-off hopes dangerously hanging by a thread.

To make matters worse, Whatmough now faces a four-match ban. His red card at Stadium:MK is his second off the season.

Cowley said he would need to look at video footage of the incident before deciding whether it would be worth appealing.

However, he was of the opinion that the defender was ‘off the floor’, which doesn’t bode well.

In terms of the penalty, the Blues head coach admitted it was a disappointing one to give away.

Speaking to The News at the final whistle, the head coach said: 'I need to see Jack's (incident) back, that's the honest truth.

‘I thought he played the ball but I also thought he was off the floor.

‘So I need to see it back, I've only had one look.

‘I thought the penalty was a penalty.

‘But it was such a soft one in terms of... there was no danger.

‘It was a disappointing time to give it away, a disappointing moment when they just didn't have a threat to us.’