JACK THE LAD
Posh new-boy Jack Baldwin on his move to London Road
SONNY Bradley claims he was threatened by one of his own fans after Portsmouth’s draw with Exeter. The defender was leaving the St James’ Park pitch when an away supporter allegedly lined up a punch.
Prior to the post-game drama it looked as though Jake Jervis’ ninth-minute strike would decide the destination of all three points in Pompey’s favour.
But with just 40 seconds left of stoppage time, Liam Sercombe’s deflected shot looped over Trevor Carson and into the back of the net.
“It was a man aged about 50 who was ready to punch me as I was walking past,” said Bradley.
“I was stood there and he’s trying to punch me. What’s that all about?
“We’ve given our best and left nothing out there.
“Fans can scream and shout and we’ll accept it, but trying to assault one of the players is a different story.”
And boss Richie Barker cut a frustrated figure as he was forced to field more difficult questions about Pompy’s inability to hold on to a lead.
“A couple of people have not tracked their runners which is disappointing because we spoke about that before the game.” he said.
“We had enough chances to have won the game and it feels like a defeat.
“We don’t seem to be able to see games out and we are all gutted.
“We were 40 seconds away from two extra points which would have been massive. It is tough to take.”
Jervis handed Portsmouth the perfect start with his third goal in four games. Ricky Holmes’ free-kick was headed back into the danger zone by Ben Chorley for Jervis to poke home from close range.
Pompey keeper Carson was almost left red-faced when he let Chorley’s back-pass sneak under his foot before the ball flashed narrowly wide.
The visitors came close to doubling their lead on 63 minutes, Jervis racing down the left and crossing for Holmes to toe-poke the ball just past the post.
Exeter substitute David Wheeler did put the ball in the net but the celebrations were short-lived as the linesman flagged for an offside earlier in the move.
Ryan Taylor was guilty of an amazing miss late on when a mistake from Exeter keeper Artur Krysiak presented him with an open goal. But the former Bristol City striker contrived to steer the ball wide.
And the visitors were made to pay late in stoppage time when a quick throw ended with Sercombe’s deflected shot looping over Carson.
But Exeter boss Paul Tisdale felt his side’s last-gasp leveller was fully merited.
“It was a fantastic end to a fantastic game,” he said. “It was a brilliant game, the atmosphere was fantastic in really difficult conditions.
“But I am really proud of the way my team played and delighted with the point.”