By Acc! That's not what we expect of Pompey at home
Saturday, 13th Dec 2014 20:20 by pompey-fans.com staff

Pompey slipped to 14th as their home form went the same way as their away form in a 3-2 defeat to Accrington Stanley.

They fought back from conceding two early goals to draw level and Paul Jones saved a harshly-given penalty - but Acrrington weathered Pompey pressure and won it late on.

It was a depressing afternoon for the Blues and the crowd made their feelings known at the end. It was the sort of sloppy defending that will have Pompey looking down not up if they are not careful as the season reaches its halfway point.

Two goals inside the first 15 minutes by Rob Atkinson and John O'Sullivan put Accrington in the driving seat and had Pompey fans venting their displeasure over poor defending.

Marcus Bean's 20-yard effort curled into the corner of the net for a quick reply and Craig Westcarr finished beautifully, lobbing the keeper to put Pompey level just after the half-hour.

Luke Joyce's penalty was saved by Paul Jones before the break - with justice done, as the spot kick was given for what looked a perfectly-good challenge by Matt Fish on O'Sullivan.

The second half was anyone's game and Bean twice went close - once denied by a brilliant save by Jack Rose and Lee Holmes was close to marking his home debut with a goal.

But Pompey paid for sloppiness 12 minutes from time. Ben Chorley lost possession and Piero Mingoia ran at what remained of the defence down the left before cutting inside and firing a low shot beyond Robinson's reach.

The introduction of Nigel Atangana and Conor Chaplin - the latter making his first-team debut - proved too little too late and the points were Accrington's, putting the pressure on Pompey now to improve their away form at Cheltenham next Saturday.

Pompey (4-4-2): Jones; Fish, Robinson, Chorley (c), Butler; Storey (R.Holmes 59), Bean, Hollands (Chaplin 85), L.Holmes (Atangana 85); Taylor, Westcarr. Subs not used: Poke, Devera, Shorey, Ertl.

Referee: Keith Hill

Attendance: 14,300 (84 away fans)