€5m signing off mark for Portsmouth as Bristol City punish Blues at Ashton Gate

After their away-day success against Lincoln City, Pompey came crashing back to earth with a frustrating 2-1 defeat to Bristol City.

Lorent Tolaj and Jason Knight capitalised on poor defending by John Mousinho’s troops, with the 2-1 reverse continuing the Blues’ poor record at Ashton Gate.

Pompey did pull a late goal back deep into stoppage time when Marko Milovanovic converted from the spot to open his Fratton Park account.

All eyes were on Adrian Segecic before the contest amid speculation over his Fratton future ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.

Despite interest from Birmingham City, the attacker was named in an unchanged starting XI, while fit-again Harvey Blair and Regan Poole came into the matchday squad.

But it was Bristol City who started the brighter of the two sides and had an opportunity to strike first inside the opening 12 minutes.

Nicolas Schmid was called into action in the opening stages when Rob Dickie met Rio Cardines’ deep free-kick into the box. However, the Austrian did brilliantly to keep the scores level.

That kicked Mousinho’s troops into gear and had chances themselves to take the lead at Ashton Gate.

There was a frustrating moment for Colby Bishop soon after, when he broke free in the box after the Blues’ player of the match Ryan Kavuma-McQueen did excellently to fend off a challenge from Rob Dickie.

As the striker advanced into the box, he unselfishly played the ball across to Adrian Segecic, which allowed the Robins to recover and clear.

And Pompey looked bright in attack, with Kavuma-McQueen and Zak Swanson causing the Bristol City backline plenty of issues.

But in a period where the Blues were threatening, Michael Skubala’s men gave the Blues the ultimate suckerpunch, taking the lead on 31 minutes.

Mousinho’s troops, who were out of shape following a corner, were caught on the counter attacker after Jason Knight played Jed Wallace through on the right wing.

After breaking free from Rocco Shein, the Fratton Park academy graduate found Tolaj in the box, who struck a first-time effort past Schmid.

Questions over the goal, however, with Benjy Arthur losing track of the striker, who was able to capitalise in the box.

The Blues attempted to find a quick response when Kavuma-McQueen tried an effort on the edge of the box but dragged his effort wide.

Despite Mousinho making a change at half-time, the Robins doubled their lead 11 minutes into the second half after poor defending by Pompey.

Knight was able to break away from the Blues’ zonal marking and was given a free header in the box and fired past the fully-stretched Schmid.

Mousinho rolled the changes in the second half, with Blair, John Swift, Marko Milovanovic and Madiodio Dia all introduced to find some sort of break through.

Blair did well soon after his introduction to break into the box after fending off a challenge from Tolaj. He found Segecic in the box, but the Croatian was dispossessed cheaply when trying to find an opening.

Frustrations grew in the closing stages, with Segecic attempting an effort on goal from a long-range free-kick which found itself behind the goal with the Fratton faithful.

The Blues were limited to very little after the break, with the Robins keeping Mousinho’s men at bay.

There were late penalty shouts for Pompey when Kamara was brought down in the box, but referee James Bell waved initial claims.

Mousinho’s men were handed a late spot-kick soon after, when Marezi was hauled down by Lisav Eissat.

The €5m signing calmly converted to open his Fratton Park account following his multi-million pound signing.

That was the last of the action, though, with Pompey unable to find a late, late equaliser.