Portsmouth baffled how two key decisions in draw with Oxford didn't go their way

Pompey were left baffled how Oxford were not reduced to 10 men in Tuesday night's 1-1 draw.
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Defenders Lee Brown and Sean Raggett couldn't fathom how Elliott Moore wasn't given his marching orders in the first half.

Pompey took the lead through Raggett’s header on 19 minutes. They then felt their grip on the game should have tightened when Ellis Harrison was scythed down on the edge of the box moments later.

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The Welshman was through on goal and, despite being taken out by Moore, the referee waved play on.

Had the foul been given, referee Tim Robinson would surely have had no choice but to hand Moore a red card as he was the last man.

And Brown was left scratching his head how the decision didn't go Pompey’s way.

The left-back said: ‘I thought it was a sending off in the first half.

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‘Ellis was through on goal and I don't know how it isn't a free-kick or a sending off there.

Pompey felt Oxford defender Elliott Moore should have been sent off for a foul on Ellis Harrison. Picture: Mike Hewitt/Getty ImagesPompey felt Oxford defender Elliott Moore should have been sent off for a foul on Ellis Harrison. Picture: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Pompey felt Oxford defender Elliott Moore should have been sent off for a foul on Ellis Harrison. Picture: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

‘It's mind-boggling and it's a sending off on a different day or Ellis scores.’

Raggett was also adamant the incident should have resulted in Moore being sent for an early bath.

What’s more, the centre-back didn’t agree with another key refereeing decision in the second period at Fratton Park.

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Oxford were handed a golden chance to equalise on 69 minutes when Jack Whatmough was adjudged to have brought down Dan Agyei inside the penalty box.

Alex Gorrin tucked home the spot-kick to earn Karl Robinson’s side a point.

Kenny Jackett felt it was a harsh decision on the Blues – and Raggett echoed those comments.

He said: ‘I don't want to say too much about the foul on Ellis - I'll get in trouble! I didn't think it was a penalty, it was outside the box but it was certainly a foul.

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‘From my point of view, I thought Whaty was unlucky. I thought he got the ball myself. It's one of them where he's got to try to make a tackle so it's a bit unfortunate.

‘My opinion was it was soft. I haven't seen it back but it was a bit soft.’