Ten-man Pompey battle back for Shrimps point

Ten-man Pompey came from 3-0 down to earn a stoppage-time point against Morecambe.
Kyle Bennett battles it out for Pompey against Morecambe at Fratton Park   Picture: Joe PeplerKyle Bennett battles it out for Pompey against Morecambe at Fratton Park   Picture: Joe Pepler
Kyle Bennett battles it out for Pompey against Morecambe at Fratton Park Picture: Joe Pepler

Two moments of Gary Roberts class and a late, late header from sub Jayden Stockley kept up Paul Cook’s unbeaten record as Blues boss.

A nightmare first-half saw Pompey in disarray as they fell three goals behind.

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And the truth was it could have been worse before Gary Roberts reduced the arrears three minutes before the break.

Kyle Bennett battles it out for Pompey against Morecambe at Fratton Park   Picture: Joe PeplerKyle Bennett battles it out for Pompey against Morecambe at Fratton Park   Picture: Joe Pepler
Kyle Bennett battles it out for Pompey against Morecambe at Fratton Park Picture: Joe Pepler

Cook’s side started much the better of the two sides but were undone by a classic counter-attack after 11 minutes.

Tom Barkhuizen was the man who blazed forward and beat Enda Stevens before finishing with aplomb.

Pompey then lost their way as passes went astray all over the place and the fluidity which has been there so far season, went horribly missing.

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It got worse after 25 minutes as Alan Goodall was allowed to head home a Jamie Devitt corner from just a couple of yards.

Aaron Wildig should have had a third after 35 minutes but fired wide after hitting the bar with a 25-yard lob moment beforehand.

The goal arrived three minutes later, though, as Andy Fleming poked home Jamie Devitt’s cross.

Roberts rallied his team, however, with a lovely free-kick after he was fouled on the edge of the box.

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The second-half was a story of Pompey possession and dominance.

But it took until 65 minutes for the Blues to reduce the arrears with another piece of brilliance from Roberts.

The attacker’s footwork deceived two Morecambe defenders before he curled a shot inside the post from just inside the box.

But Pompey were reduced to 10 men five minutes later when a stupid check from Stevens, deep in Morecambe’s half, saw him walk for a second yellow.

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From there the home side carved out a host of chances, however.

Adam McGurk, Adam Webster and Bennett all had opportunities and a late penalty shout for handball was not given.

But then Stockley sent Fratton Park - and Cook - wild with his header at the death.