Another Pitman double helps Pompey to Spotland salvation
Saturday, 7th Apr 2018 20:47 by pompey-fans.com staff

Three times Rochdale led - three times Pompey hit back. And that saw their unbeaten run stretch to five games and their play-off challenge continue in a 3-3 draw at Spotland.

The point left them seventh - just a point behind fifth-placed Plymouth, who they visit next Saturday.

With Dion Donohue replacing Brandon Haunstrup in the line-up following Monday's fine home win over Wigan, Pompey fell behind on 13 minutes when Brad Inman was given too much freedom to curl in a shot from the edge of the box.

Ian Henderson thought he had doubled Dale's lead but he was offside, and soon Pompey were level when Jamal Lowe's surging run ended with him scrambling a cross across the goalmouth where Brett Pitman was waiting to tap in.

Rochdale regained the lead shortly after the break when Matt Done teed up Stephen Humphrys who beat Luke McGee.

Soon it was 2-2 when Dion Donohue's free-kick led to Matt Clarke heading on to Pitman, who equalised.

You had a feeling the scoring was not over and so it proved as Rochdale took the lead for the third time as Inman and Calvin Andrew combined to set up Henderson to Dale's third.

Injury time arrived and with it, so do salvation for Pompey. Jack Whatmough was the unlikely figure sending the ball into the box and when Pitman headed it goalwards, defender Done could only head it into his own net to the delight of the 1,000 Pompey fans who had made the long trip.

Pompey: McGee; Thompson (Kennedy 60), Whatmough, Clarke, Donohue; Walkes; Lowe, Evans (Hawkins 72), Close, Naismith (O’Keefe 60); Pitman. Subs not used: Bass, Burgess, Haunstrup, Ronan

Referee: Scott Oldham

Attendance: 3,781 (1,044 Pompey fans)