Cowley’s ten-der
DANNY COWLEY’S 10-man Pompey held on for his second successive win but the new boss was unhappy with John Marquis’ dismissal and may appeal the decision.
Kenny Jackett’s successor saw his new side storm into a 2-0 lead at the break at Shrewsbury through goals from Marcus Harness and Marquis in an impressive opening half.
But they had to dig in for victory after Nathanael Ogbeta pulled a fine goal back in the 52nd minute before 16-goal Marquis saw red.
The striker was sent off by referee Benjamin Speedie in the 68th minute for clattering substitute Harry Chapman.
Cowley said: “It was a good first-half performance with good dominance. “But I was really surprised it was a red card. It was a forward’s challenge, the ball came into John and it got away from him.
“He is an honest boy who goes after the ball and got a foot to the ball.
“It was a straight red so potentially it would be a three-game ban. We will have a good look at it without the emotion and decide whether to appeal.”
Portsmouth deservedly went ahead in the 25th minute with a brilliant finish from Harness from just inside the area and doubled the lead after 36 minutes when Marquis stabbed home.
Shrewsbury threw on Chapman at the break and it helped pay off as a fine low right-foot finish from Ogbeta from outside the box halved the arrears.
Marquis then saw red but the hosts could not make the advantage count.
VITAL STATS SHREWSBURY
PORTSMOUTH 3 ........ Shots on Target ......... 3 2 ........ Shots off Target ......... 3 0 ................ Corners ................. 7 15 ................. Fouls .................. 13 1 ................ Offsides ................ 0 76.8...Passing Success % .... 81.2 336 ....... Total Passes ........ 527 38.4 .... Possession % ...... 61.6 46.3 .Territorial Adv % .. 53.7
SHREWSBURY: Burgoyne 6; Pennington 6 (Pyke 82), Ebankslandell 6, Williams 6; Sears 6 (Chapman 46, 7) , Davis 6, Vela 6, Ogbeta 7; Goss 6 (Edwards 69, 6); Main 6, Udoh 6 (Whalley 69, 6).
Unused subs: Bevan, Caton, Bloxham.
PORTSMOUTH: Macgillivray 7; Johnson 7, Whatmough 7, Raggett 6, Brown 7; Naylor 7, Close 7 (Daniels 84); Harness 8, Williams 8 (Nicolaisen 90), Jacobs 6 (Cannon 75, 6); Marquis 6
Unused subs: Ward, Bolton, Byers, White.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Marcus Harness. The attacker was energetic and a big threat as he produced a classy finish in top display.
REFEREE: Benjamin Speedie 7.