Awford points to defensive clangers
PORTSMOUTH manager Andy Awford rued his side’s poor defending as Pompey’s turbulent week went from bad to worse.
First-team coach Alan McLoughlin left his post at Fratton Park this week and was subsequently replaced by former Wycombe boss Gary Waddock.
But the form book suggested everything was in place for Awford’s side to bounce back with a win – Pompey having won their last three at home.
Accrington had other ideas though. They sailed into a two-goal lead inside 15 minutes thanks to goals from John O’Sullivan and Rob Atkinson and while Portsmouth were level by halftime Piero Mingoia grabbed a winner.
Portsmouth boss Awford, said:“Defensively we gave ourselves a mountain to climb.
“We half-climbed it because we showed a lot of character to come back to 2-2.
“It was really sloppy from us to be two-nil down inside the first 15 minutes.
“You think it’s going to be your day but we’ve made an error for the third goal and it’s undone us. There was a couple of errors leading to the goal and we should have moved the ball forward quicker than we have.
“We have conceded too early in games.
“Maybe we need to change the warm-up? Maybe we need to kick towards the Fratton end?
“We scored two good goals with two great finishes and I thought Marcus Bean was excellent.”
After O’Sullivan and Atkinson had put Stanley ahead, Colchester loan star Bean curled home after latching onto a Danny Hollands throw-in before Craig Westcarr took his tally to five for the season with a fine lob on 31 minutes to draw level.
Evident second-half improvements made by Awford’s men were to count for little though when Accrington scored a winning third.
Pompey captain Ben Chorley gave the ball away to substitute Shay McCartan who spread the ball wide to Mingoia, who drilled home inside Paul Jones’ near post 12 minutes from time. Accrington could have scored a third sooner when Matt Fish fouled O’Sullivan in the box, but Jones saved Luke Joyce’s spot-kick.
Accrington boss John Coleman said:“We knew it was going to be difficult coming here but we have incredible belief within the players.
“We showed great character again. The problem is every time we win the teams above us seem to win.
“I think all the lads who came on did their part and played their part.
“I don’t really think we ever looked like we were going to concede at the end.”