Chaplin and Roberts on target as Sligo hold Pompey
Wednesday, 6th Jul 2016 21:31 by pompey-fans.com staff

Pompey managed to give 22 players - including many trialists - some game time as they kicked off their pre-season friendlies with a 3-3 draw against one of Paul Cook's former teams, Sligo, in Ireland.

Conor Chaplin (2) and Gary Roberts put them three up at the break before the home side hit back in the second period in a game that was a testimonial for Sligo stalwart Gavin Peers.

On nine minutes Chaplin got away down the right and crossed for Roberts to poke in Pompey's first goal of the new season.

Soon Chaplin pounced on the rebound when the home keeper thwarted Roberts - and it was 3-0 with a neat finish from Chaplin, again after good work by Roberts.

Winger Milan Lalkovic caught the eye and went close to a fourth before the break.

Sligo fielded a stronger side after the interval but had to wait until the 70th minute for a goal of their own, Peers stroking home a penalty.

Kyle Bennett and Carl Baker each threatened to restore the three-goal lead, before Pompey surrendered it late on.

Kieran Sadlier scored twice in a few minutes to salvage a draw.

Pompey (4-2-3-1): Crowe (trialist) (Grimes (trialist) 46); Talbot (Sessegnon (trialist) 46), Whatmough (Davies 46), Burgess (Barton 46), Haunstrup (Stevens 46); May (Close 46), Doyle (c) (Rose 46); Tollitt (Baker 46), Roberts (Trialist 62), Lalkovic (Bennett 46); Chaplin (Tollitt 79)