'Pool Slip To Late Pompey Defeat

Blackpool's unbeaten away record fell at Fratton Park yesterday afternoon as the Seasiders lost 1-0 to Portsmouth courtesy of an injury time strike from Erik Huseklepp.

Ian Holloway had made three changes to the Seasiders line-up; Stephen Crainey, Matt Phillips and Tom Ince replacing Matt Hill, Brett Ormerod and Billy Clarke. Mark Halstead, Matt Hill, James Hurst, Ludovic Sylvestre and Daniel Bogdanovic made up the 'Pool bench.

And it was Matt Phillips who spurned the Seasiders' best chances as they enjoyed the better of the opening forty five.

On the quarter hour mark he was fed through on goal by Gary Taylor-Fletcher but could only shoot straight at Pompey goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown, whilst shortly after Kevin Phillips set him up, but he could only drag his finish wide.

It wasn't until after the half hour that the hosts had their first opportunity of the game; Joel Ward heading wide following a long throw from Greg Halford.

Barry Ferguson thundered a long range effort just over the bar as the first half drew to a close with the two sides level at 0-0.

Pompey came out refreshed after the break and enjoyed two great chances of their own to open the scoring in the early stages of the second half; Matt Gilks denying Liam Lawrence, before Greg Halford headed wide.

On the hour 'Pool replaced Matt Phillips with Ludovic Sylvestre, with Gary Taylor-Fletcher moving out to the wing as they looked to re-assert their dominance.

Despite enjoying a lot of possession though, the Seasiders struggled to break down Pompey's defence, again highlighting our need for further additions in the final third of the pitch.

Kevin Phillips forced a good save from Ashdown with a low drive from twenty years, whilst 'Pool felt they should have had a penalty with ten minutes to go with it looking like Ian Evatt's shot had been blocked by a defender's hand.

With Pompey looking like they were happy with a point, 'Pool pushed forward looking for a late winner, with James Hurst replacing Tom Ince.

However, Ollie's side were struck by the cruelest of blows deep into injury time when Huseklepp collected the ball just inside the area and fired home into the top corner.

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