Portsmouth deserved extra-time - but Callum Johnson takes solace in FA Cup loss to Bristol City

The Blues dominated large periods of the game against the Championship outfit but fell to a 2-1 defeat in the third round of the historic competition.

Famara Diedhiou opened the scoring for the Robins on 19 minutes before Johnson equalised in first-half stoppage-time.

Kenny Jackett’s men were the better side after the interval but missed several decent goalscoring opportunities to go ahead.

Then a rare foray forward from the hosts on 83 minutes resulted in Chris Martin finding the back of the net with a fine effort to dump Pompey out of the Cup.

The Blues sit 17 places below a City outfit pushing for the top flight in the Football League.

But Johnson took solace from how the Blues more than matched their opponents throughout the Ashton Gate encounter.

The right-back said: ‘We’re obviously disappointed we didn’t come out with the win but we gave a decent account of ourselves, especially after three weeks without a game.

‘We’ve got to try to take the positives and try to concentrate on the league now.

‘I think we did deserve extra-time. We’ll watch it back, analysis it and see where we went wrong but sometimes you don’t get a true perspective on the game when you’re playing it.

‘Personally, I felt that we went toe to toe against them and played some good stuff.

‘We want to get into the Championship and if you don’t punish teams at that level then they’ll get one opportunity and take it. That’s exactly what they did.

‘We want to get to that level and learn from them.’

Johnson arrived at Pompey from Accrington for a fee of £200,000 in September.

His goal at Bristol City ensured he broke his Blues goal duck in his 25th appearance.

What’s more, it was only the second time he’s been on the scoresheet during his senior career.

But Johnson admits he now needs net more frequently as Jackett’s troops bid for League One promotion this season.

He added: ‘I saw the far corner open. Andy (Cannon) did really well and pulled it back to me and I saw the far corner open up so thankfully it’s gone in.

‘It was sort of a pass into the far corner. A few of the lads said I scuffed it but at least it went in!

‘I haven’t scored too many in my career to be fair. That’s something that I need to add to my game a bit more.

‘I’ve got quite a few assists but if I can add a few goals in the league then that’ll help.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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