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Colby Bishop found the
target as Pompey battled from behind to draw with Oxford and maintain
their long unbeaten record at Fratton Park. They were lacklustre before the break and a fine Kyle Joseph strike ensured the visitors took the lead. But United had Billy Bodin dismissed for two bookable offences and Bishop slotted home his ninth goal of the season. Danny Cowley made two changes from the side that won on the road at Forest Green at the weekend. Dane Scarlett and Reeco Hackett were both recalled to the starting line-up, with Joe Pigott and Owen Dale dropping to the bench. Marlon Pack missed out with a hamstring injury, despite completing his one-match ban, while Joe Rafferty and Tom Lowery were not considered ready for selection. After a cagey opening it was the visitors who had the first attempt, not that Bodin’s effort particularly troubled Josh Griffiths. Pompey’s medical team were staying busy, though, having to come on three separate occasions during the first half to patch up Scarlett, Clark Robertson and Ronan Curtis. A nice pass from Hackett released Zak Swanson on the right on 13 minutes, but his low delivery flashed just behind those waiting in the box. Instead it was Oxford who broke the deadlock soon after, when Sam Long launched a long pass forward from inside his own half. The ball was chested down by Gatlin O’Donkor and Joseph hit a fine strike that left Griffiths with no chance. Pompey tried to hit back immediately, but Robertson’s corner flicked off a defender and Bishop was unable to adjust his body quick enough to turn the ball on target. The skipper tried to find Bishop again soon after and the cross was turned behind by Stuart Findlay before he could reach it. Things were not coming off for the hosts in an attacking sense and they might have fallen further behind, with Joseph flashing a shot just past the post. The Blues did have a shot on target just before the interval, with Simon Eastwood getting down to keep out Curtis’ drilled attempt. |
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Portsmouth 0 Oxford United 1 |
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There was a change at the
break, with Sean Raggett not emerging from the tunnel after hurting his
back and being replaced by Michael Morrison. But it was the visitors who threatened first following the restart, with Cameron Brannagan’s shot deflected over following a neat Bodin pass. Pompey then started to apply some pressure and came close to equalising when Ryan Tunnicliffe crossed towards the back post. The ball was brought down well by Curtis, whose angled drive was saved by Eastwood, while Ciaron Brown threw himself into the path of Bishop’s follow-up to divert the shot over. Cowley freshened things up with a double switch on 54 minutes, as Dale and Josh Koroma came on for Scarlett and Curtis, with Hackett moving into a more central role. Pompey were trying to hurt their opponents, but the final pass was still missing to ensure Eastwood was not being called in action. And the mood inside the ground was not helped by the visitors’ time-wasting tactics, with several players quickly recovering following treatment on the pitch. The Blues tried a quick free-kick to catch Oxford out on 70 minutes, but the lively Hackett could only flash a shot into the side netting. And United suffered a blow when Bodin went in late on Hackett and was shown his second yellow card of the evening, followed by a red. Pompey soon made their numerical advantage count drawing level after Dale’s shot had deflected off Brannagan and looped up into the air. It was controlled by the shoulder of BISHOP, who then slotted the ball into the net and raced back to the centre circle. But Oxford felt there had been an infringement and referee Sam Purkiss went over to speak with his assistant before allowing the goal to stand. Head coach Karl Robinson was certainly not pleased with the decision and his ire earned him a booking. Pompey sensed blood and Koroma’s attempt was deflected over before Joe Pigott replaced Swanson to add another target man. And a display of eight additional minutes gave the Fratton faithful renewed hope that they could snatch a winner. But Oxford remained resolute, getting everyone back behind the ball to hang on for a share of the spoils. Referee: Sam Purkiss |
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Updated - 27/11/2023 |
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