LIFE’S A PITCH FOR POMPEY
PORTSMOUTH manager Paul Cook took his post-match anger out on Barnet’s groundsman after dropping points for the first time in three outings.
In a game of few chances, both sides struggled to be clinical in the final third, and only really sparked into life in the last ten minutes.
Bees midfielder Mauro Vilhete thought he had won it after netting a fine curling free-kick in the 82nd minute.
However, half-time substitute Conor Chaplin scored a 25-yard screamer in the 89th minute to nick a point for the visitors.
Despite being pleased about his side’s comeback, Cook blamed the state of the pitch for their poor start, insisting that the club had been misled into thinking it was in good condition.
“We thought we were coming to play on a good pitch, and we selected a team that we felt would be right,” said the Portsmouth boss.
“But we knew early on that the team was wrong, the shape was wrong, everything about it was wrong, and that was down to the pitch.
“It’s quite clearly made it difficult for us to impose ourselves when it’s in that sort of condition.
“You can talk about tactics and players, but playing on that pitch, you will always be in trouble.
“But you won’t see a better goal than Conor’s.
“His finishing is amazing, but it’s just about trying to fit him into a team shape, a winning team shape.”
Curtis Weston should have put the hosts ahead in the 26th minute, volleying a cross from Vilhete towards goal, only for keeper David Forde to tip over the bar.
Barnet continued to press in the second half and, with eight minutes remaining, Vilhete looked to have won it with a superb free-kick, curling in and giving Forde no chance to scramble across.
However, with just one minute remaining, Chaplin’s 25-yard strike nestled in the top corner, earning a point for the promotion-hunting visitors.
And, after picking up his first point at the Hive, Barnet’s new boss Kevin Nugent praised his side’s effort, but acknowledged that there is work to be done.
“It was a fantastic goal to equalise but from a coach’s view there is stuff we could have done about it,” said Nugent, who left his coaching job at Charlton this week to take up Barnet’s top job.
“We had a few chances in the first half and I thought we could have hung on, but unfortunately we didn’t.
“We need a bit of tinkering in terms of how we’re going to play, but I’m really excited about what I’ve seen.
“I’ve done different roles in clubs and I know how they run.
“I know being a caretaker is different but I’ve got no doubt that I’m fully prepared.
“It’s a stable club, a few points off the play-offs, and I just felt it was the right opportunity for me.”