COOK CALLS ON POMPEY TO BE THREAT THIS SEASON
Leaders Plymouth rescue it late
PAUL COOK hammered out a promotion warning after his Pompey side held leaders Plymouth.
Yann Songo’o stooped to head the Pilgrims in front on 20 minutes only for Kyle Bennett to haul Pompey level five minutes before half-time.
Danny Rose came off the bench to put Portsmouth in front in the 86th minute but fellow substitute Connor Smith salvaged a point for Plymouth three minutes later.
Despite stretching their unbeaten run to 11 games, Plymouth’s lead at the top has been cut to three points.
And although Pompey have slipped to fifth, manager Cook insists his side are on course for a successful season.
He said: “It was a very entertaining game and we were the better team.
“Plymouth will know today we are going to be doing our best to be a threat in this league.
“We controlled the game in the second half and we have got 21 points on the board. Now we need to make sure we have the desire.
“We are showing signs of being a good team. Plymouth have made a really good start. The players are really disappointed to have conceded the late equaliser.”
Pompey started the brighter and Carl Baker hit an angled drive
which forced a simple save out of Luke McCormick.
The home side had rarely threatened when they grabbed the opener on 20 minutes.
Graham Carey supplied a tantalising free-kick and Songo’o steered a header into the bottom corner for his first Plymouth goal.
It could have been worse for Pompey as Jordan Slew’s close-range effort was creeping inside the near post until Baker rescued the visitors with a crucial clearance.
Conor Chaplin tried to trick referee Darren Handley into giving Pompey a penalty when he plunged to the deck under a challenge by Gary Miller. But the official flashed a yellow card at Chaplin instead.
Pompey were denied another penalty in the 36th minute after Chaplin went down having been pushed in the back by Sonny Bradley.
Yet the visitors drew level when Chaplin swept past Nauris Bulvitis before pulling the ball back for Bennett to smash the ball past McCormick.
The match became increasingly stretched in the second half and Graham Carey powered towards the edge of the box before his rasping drive was tipped on to the crossbar by David Forde.
Plymouth hearts were in their mouths as Gary Miller diverted Gareth Evans’ cross a whisker past his own post.
After Curtis Main slipped marker Bulvitis, the substitute could only plant an effort straight at McCormick.
But Plymouth were unable to clear the danger and Rose made them pay by chesting the ball down and unleashing a dipping volley which hit the underside of the bar and bounced over the line.
Yet there was still more drama to follow in a gripping finale as Ben Purrington found Smith racing into the box and the substitute crashed a curling effort past Forde.
Plymouth boss Derek Adams praised Smith for his accomplished finish, saying: “I have seen that from Connor in training.
“He is a player that plays on the front foot, he has got great ability and he took his goal well.
“When you have a big attendance, you want goals, good football and controversy.
“We have seen all of that today and the fans will be delighted.
“I am so pleased the way we responded after going 2-1 down and to extend our unbeaten run is important.”