The games Portsmouth will look back on with regret as they're set to miss out on promotion

Pompey are waiting for the death knell to sound on their promotion hopes.
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The next step is finding how league positions will be determined and which sides will be promoted or relegated.

A weighted points-per-game system is the supposed favoured metric. It takes into account clubs have differing numbers of home and away games left in their fixture calendars to give a true reflection of the campaign.

Fine margins, indeed, with the Blues missing out on promotion by a meagre 1.29 points despite nine matches remaining. They would have every right to feel aggrieved.

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But if it is the case then there are several games Kenny Jackett’s side will look back on and ultimately rue they didn't get more out of them.

Tom Naylor dejected after Pompey's 2-2 draw at Bristol Rovers. Picture: Graham HuntTom Naylor dejected after Pompey's 2-2 draw at Bristol Rovers. Picture: Graham Hunt
Tom Naylor dejected after Pompey's 2-2 draw at Bristol Rovers. Picture: Graham Hunt

Pompey 3-3 Coventry (August 20, 2019)

It’s a summer's evening that still sends shudders down fans’ spine.

After Fankaty Dabo was sent off in the 59th minute for the Sky Blues, Pompey must have been long, long odds-on to pick up all three points.

Kenny Jackett’s side were 3-1 up, with Ronan Curtis, John Marquis and Gareth Evans putting the Blues in command.

Michael Rose scored for Coventry in their 3-3 draw against Pompey in August. Picture: Robin Jones.Michael Rose scored for Coventry in their 3-3 draw against Pompey in August. Picture: Robin Jones.
Michael Rose scored for Coventry in their 3-3 draw against Pompey in August. Picture: Robin Jones.

No-one could have foreseen the capitulation.

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Pompey, somehow, would succumb to a share of the spoils, despite Mark Robins’ men ending the match with nine men.

Frail defending led to Coventry – primed to be declared champions – somehow snaffling a point.

Blues supporters were furious – and they had every reason to be.

Pompey fell two goals behind in six minutes against Burton in September. Picture: Joe PeplerPompey fell two goals behind in six minutes against Burton in September. Picture: Joe Pepler
Pompey fell two goals behind in six minutes against Burton in September. Picture: Joe Pepler

Pompey 2-2 Burton (September 17, 2019)

Just like the Fratton faithful were shell-shocked at full-time against Coventry, they felt the same emotion six minutes into Pompey’s following home game.

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The Blues found themselves two goals behind after just six minutes, leaving themselves with a mountain to climb.

A last-gasp Brett Pitman penalty ensured Pompey grabbed a point, although the feeling at the final whistle was hardly one of joy.

Burton played most of the game with 10 men after John-Joe O'Toole was sent off on 25 minutes.

Yet Pompey scarcely tested the visiting keeper, with Pitman's penalty certainly sparing the blushes.

AFC Wimbledon 1-0 Pompey (October 19, 2019)

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The short trip up the A3 was a huge chance for Pompey to pick up just a second away win of the season.

Instead, it left the Blues just two points outside the drop zone.

Pompey dominated possession but created a dearth of goalscoring opportunities.

In truth, it was the Wombles who looked likelier to score when on a rare counter-attack.

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And when the home side were awarded a stoppage-time free-kick, you knew the inevitable was coming.

Terrell Thomas climbed highest to nod past Craig MacGillivray, with chants of ‘We want Jackett out ensuing’ just feet behind the dugout from the New Meadow terrace.

Bristol Rovers 2-2 Pompey (October 26, 2019)

Another commanding position, another two points dropped.

On 70 minutes, Gas fans started to leave Memorial Stadium, having seen enough on a sodden day in Somerset.

Ronan Curtis had headed Pompey into a 2-0 lead, with home supporters believing it was unpalatable their side would forge a fightback.

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Rovers would be toasting a point, however, with the Blues again architects of their downfall.

Both came from poor defending from set-pieces, with Alex Rodman’s netting before a freak Craig MacGillivray own goal meaning it made for a sombre return to Fratton Park

MK Dons 3-1 Pompey (December 29, 2019)

Against the backdrop of defeating Ipswich and Wycombe - the top two sides in the division - Pompey travelled to Stadium MK full of confidence.

They were sent spinning back to reality at Stadium MK, however.

Despite languishing in the relegation zone, MK Dons were full value for their three points as they exposed all sorts of gaping holes in Pompey’s rearguard.

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