Portsmouth's penalty fury as midfielder vows Oxford United showdown won't lead to more play-off pain

But the midfielder is adamant the Blues’ bid to reach the Championship will not turn into another hard luck story after last night’s 1-1 draw with Oxford United.

Kenny Jackett’s men looked on course for a first win for their club in play-off action at the seventh time of asking, as football returned to Fratton Park after a 115-day lay-off.

Ronan Curtis’ goal was cancelled out by Marcus Browne two minutes before the break in a half the home side largely dominated.

Pompey couldn’t maintain control after the break, but it was the swathe of penalty shouts not given by referee Gavin Ward which angered the home dressing room.

A first-half handball from Rob Dickie along with challenges on Ellis Harrison, Christian Burgess and Ronan Curtis incidents under the spotlight.

Morris felt the referee was poor but was forthright in his view there will be no excuses for not putting the tie to bed at the Kassam Stadium.

He said: ‘It was wave after wave of attacks, especially in the second half, but we couldn’t get that goal.

‘It felt like we deserved three or four penalties - especially that one at the end on Ronan. It was a stonewaller.

‘There was the Ellis shout and definitely a handball in the first half.

‘On another day we get them. It’s disappointing but we just have to go again on Monday.

‘Yes we did feel hard done by on those but it’s football and we can’t have any excuses come Monday.

‘We’ll go again, rest up recover and be raring to go on Monday. I think we’ll have them.’

Morris was celebrating a return from a 14-month injury lay-off with a surprise start as Kenny Jackett made some surprising selection calls going into the clash.

The tie is now finely poised heading into the second leg at the U’s home with a Wembley visit at stake.

Morris feels that challenge should hold no fear for Pompey and believes Karl Robinson’s side do not have the edge.

He added: ‘I don’t suppose they’ve got an advantage.

‘I don’t think they’ve got an advantage going back to their place with it being empty.

‘If we’d had our crowd I think it would have made a big difference.

‘It definitely would have made a difference in the second half attacking the Fratton End.

‘You would have thought the crowd would’ve put a bit of pressure on the ref.

‘But we go again on Monday - and I’m confident going into it.’