Frustration for Cowley as hopes go for a Burton

DANNY Cowley could not hide his disappointment as Portsmouth’s automatic promotion hopes were all but buried after losing at home to Burton Albion.

Mike Fondop and Joe Powell scored either side of half-time as Burton ended Cowley’s 100 per cent record.

Cowley said: “The overriding emotion is frustration. We conceded a soft first goal and when you do that against a team like Burton you make it difficult for yourselves.

“We did not have the execution in the final third and rushed plenty of chances.

“We only had three attacking senior players fit and that did not help us.

“Our quality in the final third was a bit short in the second half.

“We should not be getting beat at Fratton Park – I do not expect us to lose these games even though Burton are a good away team.”

A first half devoid of any real chances burst into life in the last minute of normal time when Tom Hamer’s long throw caused havoc in the Pompey defence.

Fondop’s initial header was miraculously saved by Craig MacGillivray, but Fondop was on hand to hook the rebound into the Pompey net.

Powell doubled the visitors’ lead two minutes after the break, turning in Sean Clare’s cross.

Burton put 10 men behind the ball for most of the game, but pressed high on Portsmouth to prevent them from any real possession.

Charlie Daniels’ header two minutes from time proved no more than a consolation goal for Pompey as Cowley slipped to his first defeat since replacing Kenny Jackett as boss.

Burton manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink said: “I am really pleased with the result and that we scored the goals at the right time. “After that we managed to defend extremely well. My dressing room was full of tired and battered players who have put everything into the game and managed to get us the three points I think we deserved.

“I thought we were the better team in the first half, but Pompey never stop trying and put us under severe pressure.

“I felt a little disappointed with their goal, but I’ll have to have a look at it to see where we can improve.”