Portsmouth 2 Oxford United 2: Neil Allen's verdict - Ref injustice, yet stubborn Blues refuse to be beaten
Pompey remain one point outside the Championship relegation zone after another late, late show
Visibly a little apprehensive, the procession safely negotiated its way along the edge of the pitch without incident, albeit amid an empty stadium.
At which point, the two Fratton Park security stewards temporarily commandeered to provide protection to the match officials gratefully stood down and scarpered, with the frontline looming.
Instead it was the imposing figure of club secretary Ally Knell who boldly took point to lead Josh Smith and his colleagues into the lion’s den.
With supporters swarming either side of the barriers positioned outside the Fratton End gate, desperate for Pompey player autographs following the 2-2 draw with Oxford United, they were presented with a surprise bonus.
Namely a cherished opportunity to greet the televised game’s most influential figure - its headline-grabbing referee - as he made his way to his vehicle in Tesco’s car park.
Such was the ferocity of the subsequent fan reaction, it was clocked by Blues boss John Mousinho during his post-match round of media interviews a sizeable distance away, beside the pitch.
Highly controversial refereeing display
No doubt the vociferous reception had been anticipated by Smith, whose dubious performance will ensure his name lives long in Fratton folklore. Forcibly seizing centre-stage doesn’t necessarily warrant bouquets and adulation, of course.
Appointed to oversee a crucial Championship relegation battle, it was a highly controversial refereeing display from somebody who had issued four red cards and 28 bookings in his previous six matches.
If Connor Ogilvie’s baffling first-half sending off wasn’t contentious enough, there was the failure to hand a deserved second yellow card to Brodie Spencer in the 63rd minute following a foul on Terry Devlin.
Naturally, Oxford capitalised on the generous oversight by immediately substituting the Northern Ireland international before any further damage could be done - much to the Fratton faithful’s ire.
Yet it was Ogilvie’s untimely 17th-minute exit which formed the cornerstone of Smith’s wretched showing, which threatened defeat for the Blues in a match which had been billed as a must-win by Mousinho in the build-up.
Pompey were leading 1-0 at the time as Keshi Anderson marked his maiden start for the club by scoring with just nine minutes on the clock, with Ogilvie involved in the move.
The left-back’s deep delivery was headed back across goal at the far post by Gustavo Caballero and, although Colby Bishop couldn't control the ball, Anderson did the rest with a moment of magic.
Taking a clever first-time touch with his right foot to cut inside Yunus Konak, the former Birmingham man then struck a left-footed shot which proved too powerful for Jamie Cumming to keep out.
Ogilvie’s dubious red card
Just eight minutes later, Stan Mills nipped in to nick the ball off Ogilvie, who jumped in and, in the same motion, hooked his left leg around to claim the ball.
The long-serving defender initially disputed a foul, yet, while many present in the stadium anticipated a booking, there was an audible gasp of disbelief when a red card followed after consultation with the linesman over audio communication.
Not only now reduced to 10 men, the Blues’ players had 73 minutes and a slender one-goal advantage to negotiate. Failure to successfully rise to that challenge would have plunged them closer to relegation back to League One.
Admirably, however, Mousinho’s men dug in, demonstrating a grit and determination previously on display in their late draw at Norwich, albeit with a far greater attacking threat thanks to the impressive Anderson and Gustavo Caballero enjoying his most complete game in a Pompey shirt.
Indeed, the Paraguayan international should have added a second on 31 minutes, only to crash Jordan Williams’ pull-back over the bar. Moments later, Williams slightly hesitated while chasing a through ball by Anderson, allowing Cumming to fractionally get there first with a one-on-one beckoning.
A grandstand finish for Pompey
Then, on 48 minutes, Mills’ shot from the right was parried out by Nicolas Schmid, helpfully into the path of Spencer, who pounced from close range.
Nonetheless, Pompey continued to look dangerous on the break, particularly through their wingers. On 81 minutes, however, an exhausted Anderson was replaced by Milli Alli on the left flank.
Within seconds, Michal Helik had rolled the Luton loanee too easily outside the box and his right-footed cross was met with a flying header from Will Lankshear to give the visitors a 2-1 lead.
Some Pompey fans headed towards the exits, yet their team were far from done.
On 88 minutes, Pack’s clever disguised pass picked out Alli’s run and the winger pulled the ball back from the left - and was met with a first-time left-footed finish by Andre Dozzell for the leveller.
A remarkable finale by a never-say-die Pompey who defied a numerical disadvantage and Josh Smith to claim what could yet be a precious point in this nerve-jangling relegation run-in.